Questions over softball appointments
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday October 19, 2021 14:03
Former Under-19 coach, Basiame Molathiwa is now the Under-23 assistant coach, serving under his former junior, Otimile Tapiso. The two worked together at Under-19 and took the team to the World Softball Championship in Michigan, United States in 2016. But now roles have been reversed, with Molathiwa finding himself serving under his former number two. Information reaching Mmegi Sport is that Molathiwa is unhappy with the turn of events as he felt he deserved the Under-23 head coach's job.
BSA had advertised the Under-23 head coach's position, which is a new post for recently established junior national team. Softball sport development officer, Tebogo Johannes said the panel decided not to appoint Molathiwa as head coach because he has been coaching at junior secondary school for many years. “He works with Under-19 players most of the time. Even his wins and profile indicates that he is good with Under-19s. His understudy when they went to Michigan is a coach at senior secondary school and that is where his wins are. We then decided that who is near to Under-23 in terms of age group, we decided to go with Tapiso,” he said. Johannes said if it was a post for the Under-19, Molathiwa would have been the perfect choice.
Tapiso is also a coach at Carats Softball Club in Orapa while Molathiwa has only coached at junior school. “We also looked at their Botswana Games track record. Tapiso is more successful than Molathiwa. Those were the variables that we looked at. Yes, Tapiso went to Michigan as an understudy (but) this is a new position and we did not do him a favour,” he said. Christopher Chikwakwa has been appointed team manager, getting the nod ahead of Letsweletse Jonas. Jonas reportedly feels he is the suitable candidate, with previous experience as the Under-19 team manager. “Jonas could do this job at Under-19. Remember this is the same person who recently resigned from BSA executive committee citing that he had other commitments. So are those commitments not going to disturb him now as team manager?" he asked.
Johannes said they created a position for Tony Moyo as pitching coach for both the Under-23 and senior men's teams. Moyo had applied for the Under-23 assistant coach's job, but was unsuccessful. The Under-23 team will play in the World Championships qualifiers in South Africa. Argentina will host the inaugural junior tournament next year.