I'm Done Contesting For Positions - Malesu
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday November 8, 2021 16:00
Malesu's dreams of leading the BNOC were shattered yet again over the weekend after receiving five votes, which were the lowest during the highly contested elections. Tirelo Mukokomani received six while the winner, Botsang Tshenyego received an overwhelming majority of 14 votes. Malesu had a strong team that included former Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president, Thari Mooketsi.
The entire team was rejected by the Federations. Mooketsi received four votes while Tshepo Sitale won the position of senior vice president with 20 votes. Boineelo Hardy was the biggest upset of the day after garnering 19 votes to become the new second vice president while Tiny Kgetlwane received only four. It was a close contest between Michael Moroka and Patrick Moesi for first vice president.
At one point during the counting of the ballot papers, the two candidates were at the same level, 11 votes each. Moroka managed to snatch the win by receiving three more votes to make it 14. Additional members are Yarona Sharp, Tebogo Segaise and Unaswi Matebu. Speaking to Sport Monitor, Malesu simply laughed saying life is full of surprises.“I have done my part of contesting for positions,” Malesu said. For his part, Mukokomani said the next step is to continue being a board member of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
When asked what happened to the votes he expected, Mukokomani said he was surprised by the outcome of the elections. “The whole process leading up to the elections was suspicious. The back and forth with the delegates and the emergency meeting by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare on the eve of the elections. But I have to respect the outcome of elections,” he said. Mukokomani said despite the loss, his conscience is clear. He said the Federations voted for their choice. “Sports is for Batswana.
It is an employer and certainly ought to be a business. Years later, we would still be telling our kids that sport is a waste of time. Sport would continue being regarded as play time (metshameko),” he said. In his acceptance speech, Tshenyego said he has what it takes to lead for the next four years. “I believe that every president or secretary-general should be given second chances provided they have demonstrated that in their first time they tried to do something. Change must happen but not just for the sake of change.
There must be a need for change where clear benefits could be promised,” Tshenyego said. Irene Ntelamo who was contesting to be an additional member said she can now focus on AIBA women committee where she was re-appointed in February. “I have served in AIBA before (2014- 2018).
I am also back in the BoBA women commission, which I set up in 2015. So I already have a lot of work to do to push my code forward,” she said. Ntelamo said she has many assignments including the AFBC Zonal invitation to the AUSC Region 5 Games in Lesotho.