Badubi out of the frying pan into the fire
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday September 16, 2023 06:00
Badubi assumed office over the weekend during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Gaborone. Badubi is a former spokesperson for the BBA, a position he quit in 2022 after deciding not to seek re-election during an elective AGM.
When he decided not to contest, the former president, Moses Macheke also resigned under a cloud in May 2022 after being elected in April 2022. Badubi has now returned to lead the association, which experienced a leadership overhaul just 16 months into its term in April 2022.
To address the turmoil within the association, the Badminton affiliates have established an interim leadership team that will guide the organisation until an elective AGM in April 2024. In a dramatic turn of events, the Macheke-led committee was hit by numerous resignations emanating particularly from mistrust and factions within the committee.
During the weekend AGM, the treasurer, Wame Maposa was absent and she was reported to have resigned. The absence of the treasurer meant financial reports were not presented.
The events manager, Edward Lesole who also doubles as BISA national badminton organiser, was reported to have tendered his resignation through a text message before the AGM was scheduled. Further drama unfolded when the vice president, Kegomoditswe Gaodumelwe, revealed his resignation to the delegates but later withdrew it at the request of the executive committee. Nevertheless, Gaodumelwe ultimately resigned, stating that he had fulfilled his mandate one year after being elected.
Despite the challenges and uncertainty, Badubi expressed confidence in his ability to guide the association through these troubled waters. “I appreciate the opportunity, despite it having been under not the most ideal circumstances. But the opportunity to lead the association means a lot. I am optimistic and confident in our capacity to build back better.
The first order of business when I took over the reins was to engage my team and appoint a qualified financial mind to head our treasury department and I am happy to report the appointment of Kegomoditswe Shoshong as the treasurer. She is BICA accredited and holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from the University of Botswana, having majored in Economics and Accounting as well as a Certificate of Proficiency in Long-Term Insurance,” he said. When asked about the fate of the previous treasurer, Badubi explained that the delegates passed a resolution to remove her from the position due to her continued absence from the office and meetings.
The plan is to pursue her to obtain all financial records and conduct an audit. The leadership changes within the badminton association have raised concerns about potential scrutiny by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It is reported that the BBA has already completed a form called Schedule A, submitted biannually in January and September to the BWF. Given the frequent resignations of committee members, the BBA has submitted this form three times. “We should be careful, we may be suspended continentally and at the world level,” a source said.
However, Badubi asserted that the BBA is in good standing with the BWF, emphasising their adherence to the constitution as the guiding framework for leadership adjustments. Acknowledging badminton's challenging past few months, Badubi expressed his commitment to positive change and the overdue improvements needed in the sport.
“I share the same sentiments as many of you that change for the better is necessary and has been overdue for some time. I therefore wish to guarantee all members of the BBA community that they can trust my proven experience and expertise in managing the affairs of the association, to steer us in the direction we all wish to see our sport go,” he added. The interim committee comprises the following members: Kgalalelo Kegakilwe (vice president), Thobo Bogatsu (secretary-general), Thobo Tshosa (public relations officer), Harold Ndaba (technical director) and Nonofo Ramotswa (former UB club player).