Non-compliance forces postponement of softball meeting
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 1, 2019 11:03
According to a letter to clubs from BSA secretary general, Anastacia Tsuna Makwa, the meeting has been postponed until further notice.
“We draw your attention to the notice to all clubs made in August 28, advising all clubs to comply with Registrar of Societies Act wherein, the same were accorded the time until October 25,” reads the letter in part.
Makwa said in the letter that as of October 30, BSA executive committee through her office had not received any confirmation of compliance to the Registrar of Societies Act.
“We do however appreciate that some clubs, 10 in number, have started the process as required by the BSA constitution. Such clubs have been written acknowledgement letters, which do not necessarily indicate compliance but receipt of submission.
We therefore encourage clubs to do the needful as we commit to the highest standards of governance,” the BSA said. Makwa said all clubs should submit confirmation from Registrar of Societies on or before November 30 to allow BSA executive committee to prepare for the SGM.
But clubs are not happy with the delays in holding the meeting. Oeme Morupisi of Comets softball club told Mmegi Sport that they were surprised by the postponement.
“The SGM is long overdue and we have been waiting for it. Our colleagues from the Southern zone were pushing for a motion of no confidence against the committee, but we wanted them (committee) to be given an opportunity to give us an explanation before we could take the next step. We wanted to avoid a situation where softball’s image is dented,” he said.
Morupisi also said an SGM should be held in the middle of the year. He argued that the reasons that led to the postponement were unclear. He said compliance is discussed at an annual general meeting (AGM).
“Compliance should be discussed after clubs have held their AGMs in April, not now. They must also realise that clubs are non-profit making organisations,” he said.
Wells International manager, Gabobofane Gabobofane said they are concerned with the postponement. He said the SGM was supposed to kick start the new season adding that they are wondering how that would affect the start of the season.
There was uncertainty ahead of the SGM after a motion of no confidence was passed against the executive committee a few months back. A letter, signed by club managers, was written to the executive committee, spelling out grievances.
There are also issues about BSA being broke after its subvention was depleted within two weeks.
The senior men’s team is yet to receive appearance fees for the Softball World Championship 2019.
Another motion of no confidence was brought forward this week. According to the letter, the motion would have been passed during tomorrow’s meeting, and the clubs have vowed to proceed even after the postponement.
“The reasons for the motion is the incompetence in office administration and extreme carelessness with BSA funds to the effect that the BNSC subvention was depleted within two months crippling the affairs of the association and landing it in debts,” reads the letter.
The concerned parties representative, Latzbon Segaise said the National Diamond, which was recently upgraded through the Japanese grant, is already dilapidated.
“The league sponsor, BoFiNeT has apparently informed the executive committee that they will not release funds for the 2019/2020 league because the committee has not accounted for about P280, 000 that was given to them early this year to assist the senior men and junior women during their qualifications in South Africa. Apparently some members failed to account for those funds,” Segaise said through the letter.
Meanwhile, Panthers representative Kumbulani Palalani told Mmegi Sport that he has written to BSA suggesting that teams from the north should be provided with accommodation.
“We should use BNSC conference rooms instead of hotels. The amount of money we use in hotel conference rooms is more than the amount we could use to pay for logistics for travelling teams,” he said.