In my previous life as a journalist, I have had the joy of meeting men and women of honour. People of integrity, I mean. Not to be outdone in seeking the attention of sports journalists are the fakes, Johnny-come-to-town blokes masquerading as sports administrators. The kind who calls your office telling you he has a blockbuster of a story when in fact he is punting himself for a seat in a committee somewhere.
I respect some and abhor, in the strongest terms possible the majority of them. But then, just when you thought all was doom and gloom and sports administration had gone to the dogs, come the likes of Chicken Bhamjee and his team at the Botswana Cricket Association (BCA). These are men of honour. They are people who serve their country despite the odds. I am proud to have written on these men. Any journalist who has a story that adds value to the quality of our being as a nation has done well (the immodesty is unintentional). Good or bad, a story has to teach us something and leave us thinking. That is why a story can be good, depending on our own perception of life. Our thoughts and preferences often take precedence over what it is good. Consequently, our judgments are clouded.
Back in 2000, cricket headlines were not cool. Few calls were made by some readers who lamented the wastage of space. I did not relent.
That is why I am happy at prospects that cricket in Botswana is going places. It will be the end of the beginning of an exciting journey for cricket in the event that Botswana gains Associate Membership of International Cricket Council (ICC). This would be a reward for hard work for the men running the BCA. A personal triumph for Bhamjee. Good Botswana. I hope Rre Pheto at Labour and Home Affairs is listening. I hope the inspection team from the ICC will find reasons to grant this prestigious status to Botswana. A status that will see us being pushed in the same level with the likes of Namibia and Uganda. Imagine the beauty of our lads who have come through the ranks of the BCA Development Program qualifying automatically to play in the World Youth Tournaments such as the Under 15 and Under 19. Stand up Tshepo Mhozya, the Mokokwe twins John and Michael, Mosa Gaolekwe, Karabo Modise and Sandile Ndlangamandla. This is for you and I hope when you do wear national team colours, you will be proud to have been the chosen few, who in the true sense of the word, have put Botswana cricket on the world map.
For any administrator, an opportunity for his/her country to play at the world stage against the best without the difficulties of being relegated to lower status, financial and material support is a milestone achievement. This is what BCA is about to achieve. With the successful admission to Associate Membership for Botswana, one hopes there will be a change in the mindset for our people, our government and those who control the purse strings. Any sport in Botswana needs help to achieve growth and success. Success is money and material help. Sprinkle this with well thought out development plans - and let other stakeholders provide moral support. Bingo!
Writing previously in this column, I dreamt of the day when sports such as cricket and rugby would be hugely popular and in a position to bring glory to Botswana. With the popularity of football, and the amount of passion involved, we all tend to think this is where success and glory for the country will emerge. I wish that could be the case. What we certainly are ignorant of, is the fact that karate, boxing and volleyball have been relatively successful. Cricket will be even greater judging by what is presently happening. Back to Bhamjee. There was a time when he was not sure whether the media would recognise the BCAs efforts and give it publicity. Quitely and patiently, they (with the likes of Sumod Damodar, Faizel Sheriff, and others) went about their plans. Any mention of cricket in media circles enlisted a chorus of protests, especially if it meant getting prominent space. Football first and the rest last, at times even never. Chicken was born in a cricket family and played at provincial level in South Africa. Nothing was going to erode his passion, determination and commitment. As a founder member of BCA, there was a tinge of responsibility on his part to work hard for cricket. I pay tribute to him today because I realise there could be little knowledge elsewhere about the meaning of this - and what it implies for this nation.
Things have since gone full circle. Cricket is now making the headlines for good reasons. The media airplay, unlike somewhere, have a positive spin-off on the position of the sport.
If we could just have more of these men of honour in our sport - just. The people who grapple with budgetary issues at the Ministry of Finance, and those who pay tax, would sleep in the tranquil knowledge that their money is put to good use. Keep up the good work gentlemen! I am as ever confident that cricket in Botswana will once more achieve a milestone when the ICC inspection team arrives here early next month.
