It is reported that the BAA had picked Thebe ahead of Makwala, but the BNSC overruled the decision. However, BNSC chief executive officer (CEO), Falcon Sedimo said they did not have powers to change decisions made by affiliates. However, he said they can negotiate with an affiliate until a solution is found. “The BNSC cannot overrule a code but can advise and negotiate until an agreement is reached,” he said. Sedimo added that there is an awards adjudication panel that handled the nominations. The nominees were released on Wednesday evening and Makwala has been nominated for Sportsman of the Year award. He is pitted against Ofentse Bakwadi of karate and Rajab Otukile Mohammed of boxing. Mmegi Sport has learnt that the BAA executive committee had agreed that Thebe should be the one contesting for the award not Makwala.
“We agreed on Thebe and dismissed Makwala’s solo run. We also looked at the results where Makwala finished fifth in the 200m,” said a source. According to information released by BNSC, Makwala was nominated because he won a silver medal with the men’s 4x400m at the IAAF World relays in the Bahamas. He won the IAAF Diamond League in the 400m in 2017.
