BoBA boss challenges officials
Teichler Rankoa | Thursday December 18, 2014 11:39
He said he is ready to make boxing the best performing code in the country and this needs committed individuals who would work hard to help take the sport to greater hights. He admitted that making Botswana a more active boxing nation is a challenge, but with a positive, committed, transparent and results-oriented leadership, this can be achieved.
“We need committed individuals ready to serve boxing. We also need transparency, good leadership and accountability in boxing in this country,” he said.
Patlakwe is very optimistic that despite many challenges facing BoBA, his committee will bring direction and purpose across the entire sporting family through payment-by-results; a collective discipline of building on what works, and discarding what does not.
He said that for boxing to develop and bring results, there is need to take the sport to spread to every corner of Botswana. Besides, all communities should have an equal opportunity to partake and excel in the sport.
“And this will be done without regard to their cultural, linguistic, religious, social, economic status or any other form of discrimination whatsoever,” Patlakwe explained.
He said that the BoBA task is to inspire the nation and help young people to adopt a sporting habit for life. “Quite simply, we will never have a better chance to transform our boxing culture than in the months and years ahead starting next year, and I believe; I, committee members, officials, coaches, boxers, stakeholders and Batswana nation together, we need to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Patlakwe said.
He said he has mandated the BoBA Sport Development Officer (SDO) to concentrate on grassroot development programmes and activities next year. “From this initiative, there is hope, Re Ba Bona Ha festival hosted in November this year in Lobatse is one good example of that determination. Exco – Executive committee - shall join efforts with SDO to visit and motivate clubs,” Patlakwe stressed.
He said BoBA is struggling to get sponsorship for its activities and currently, negotiations are ongoing to solicit funds for Best of the Best tournament. He pointed out that the event will be staged with or without a sponsor. Patlakwe stated that the technical commission has been given the task of selecting national teams and boxers that will take part in the Best of the Best tournament.
The move is meant to come up with strong teams. “Eligibility or criteria for selection of atheletes for major competitions, like national teams and Best of the Best tournaments shall be the mandate of the technical commission since this will help us get the right players for competitive stages,” Patlakwe explained.