Affiliates angry with swimming body over squad selection

Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday October 30, 2013 14:47

BSSA affiliates have revealed that there was no proper governance within the association. The affiliates claim the association has threatened to ban them if they report issues to the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC). Timothy Maje of Dolphins Swimming Club told Mmegi Sport that the executive committee overrode any decision that was taken by the committee that selected national teams.

He said that the executive committee favoured its allies. Maje said members of the executive were friends and when the national team was selected, only close individuals benefited. 

The concerns follow the selection of a team that will represent Botswana in the Africa Junior Championships in Lusaka, Zambia, from November 27 until December 2. BSSA president Sally Leppan said selection would always remain a bone of contention. She explained that the selection criteria were sent out to all affiliates and through this, they selected the team for the tournament. She said that each squad member had managed the cut off time and as such deserved to be selected. She noted that all nine swimmers who are in level two or three have been selected to compete in the tournament. The team comprises of Colette van der Colff (team manager), Andrew Leppan (head coach) and Life Radimo (assistant coach). The swimmers are David van der Colff, Naomi Ruele, Larisa Fourie, Matthew Ives, Andre van der Merwe, Michael Botha, Tanya Toth, Kitso Matija and Kristian van der Merwe.