Financial constraints hamper BoBA activities
Teichler Rankoa | Monday December 8, 2014 11:33
He said financial constraints have hampered their efforts to participation in regional and international events.
Speaking at the BoBA Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) at the Big Five Lodge in Mogoditshane on Saturday, Patlakwe stated that he was not happy to see the association struggling financially and failing to send a team to important regional or international competitions.
The president noted that the funds they get from the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) is not enough. “Until we have enough money to run BoBA, everyone of us must own boxing to help it grow. BoBA does not have enough money to run all its events, hence sometimes we are forced to drop others,” Patlakwe said. He said the challenge is to seek ways of retaining their identity as one of the best performing sport in Botswana, hence they will double their efforts in looking for more sponsors. He encouraged affiliates to always seek help from BoBA especially when hosting tournaments that need money. He said BoBA is willing to help affiliates look for sponsors.
“We must work as a team and desist from factions, whatever difficult and winding roads are ahead of us. If we unite, our sport will take us to the top,” Patlakwe said. To help improve boxers performance, he said BoBA and stakeholders need to encourage coaches to do their best.
“We need to encourage our coaches to do their best in ensuring that we elevate the performance of our boxers in general, and let us make sure that issues of allowances are given all urgency it needs. Let us not sleep on outstanding allowances or fees that belong to atheletes or officials,” said Patlakwe.