Snooker crisis deepens as BNSC cancels AGM
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 28, 2020 10:25
The snooker body, the Botswana Billiards Confederation (BBC) was scheduled to hold an elective meeting on Saturday, but the BNSC has cancelled the gathering.
BNSC Sport Development Director-Administration, Elsie Kenosi confirmed the meeting is off.
“Yes, it is true, the meeting has been cancelled because the affiliates have raised some complaints. I am meeting them next week to hear their grievances,” Kenosi said.
Accusations directed at the Terrence Tiroyakgosi administration have dominated snooker talk in the build-up to the meeting.
The presidential candidates were expected to clear a bizarre hurdle in their quest for office, as they were required to sit for examinations.
The presidential candidates are incumbent, Tiroyakgosi and Mooketsi Sedimo.
A group opposed to Tiroyakgosi, had petitioned the BNSC, citing irregularities in certain processes.
The complaints were also relayed to the Registrar of Societies, where some affiliates have expressed their disquiet over a number of issues.
These included the conduct of president, Tiroyakgosi, some sections of the constitution, which they argue have been tampered with and the appointment of the elections committee.
Sedimo told Mmegi Sport the BBC constitution does not allow them to contest for any position.
“We have submitted a petition to the BNSC and Registrar of Societies. If it fails then it means we would not be part of elections tomorrow. All teams would be disqualified,” Sedimo said, before a decision was taken to cancel the meeting.
In the petition, the concerned members had suggested that the AGM should continue but the elections be postponed to a date to be decided at the annual meet.
Meanwhile, BBC elections committee chairperson, Thebe Selema had explained why presidential candidates had to sit for examinations before elections.
He said they were part of requirements set by the executive committee. He added the papers had been sourced from outside the country. If both candidates were to fail the examination, it would have meant there was no presidential contestant.
Only those who get a minimum score of 70% qualify for nomination. Other requirements for potential candidates, is that they should have been members of an affiliated club for a minimum of two years.
“The potential candidates should be citizens of Botswana, have no criminal record, have at least a certificate qualification and be fluent in English and Setswana. The candidate must not have served three terms,” reads the letter to the affiliates.
“Normally elections guidelines are developed by the executive committee and adopted by the members, but that was not the case here. Hence we are relying on the constitution. The constitution is also silent on the period taken for nomination announcement,” Selema added.
Nominations were expected to be announced on Saturday.