BOTESSA leadership term extended
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday January 29, 2022 06:00
The two associations came up with a concept merger document that was signed in September 2021. The merger meant that the two associations should change their operations. BOTESSA president, Keorapetse Setlhare told Mmegi Sport that they have been given three months extension after their term ended in December. “We have been given an extended mandate of three months by our members. We are in the transition stage because we are to merge with BOBSA.
Currently, we are reviewing the constitution and a task force has been appointed for that,” he said. Setlhare said BOTESSA and BOBSA executive committees are engaging each other, with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) also part of the process. He said in February, they will engage member affiliates so that they also have input on the draft document.
He said after the adoption, the Constitution will be forwarded to the Registrar of Societies. Setlhare said the plan is to dissolve the executive committee in March and an elections committee will be appointed to prepare for elections using the new Constitution. Setlhare said although they have not arrived at finalising the name of the new association, the proposed name is BOTESSA because it is already established with international organisations such as the Federation of Africa University Sports under the University and College Sports Association and the International University Sports Federation. He said the name of the association is likely to be Botswana Tertiary Student Association (BOTESA). “All the finer details will be agreed by the general members. For now, it is a work in progress,” Setlhare said.
Meanwhile, BOTESSA has embarked on a mission to sign strategic partnerships with other National Sport Associations (NSA). The plan is for us to be able to access equipment, technical officials and international organisations,” he said. BOTESSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with table tennis, netball, football, karate, athletics and this week they signed with boxing.
He said BOTESSA has already started benefiting from the agreements. He said BOTESSA officials have been taken through B license coaching course, referees course, which also included students. He said the students will officiate during BOTESSA tournaments and eventually graduate to officiate in the Premier League. “We have not been able to purchase karate mats (tatami) but now with our partnership with Botswana Karate Association, we are now able to host our tournaments in a professional set-up. Our athletes would also be able to attend World Karate Federation tournaments,” Setlhare said.
He said they also want to avoid fighting for players with associations where there is a clash of tournament dates.