Softball sign IWG declaration
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday July 15, 2016 11:04
The other codes that have signed the declaration are Botswana Karate Association (BOKA), Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) and Botswana Netball Association (BONA).
BSA spokesperson, Kelebogile Seitei told Mmegi Sport that they held long discussions with IWG secretariat as a way of empowering themselves and appreciate its advantages before signing. Seitei said on the other hand, most members of BSA executive committee are women and they played a pivotal role in pushing for the signing of the declaration.
“There have always been issues of women being favoured when the national team is selected. We wanted to do away with those things. Others must follow suit,” said Seitei.
Meanwhile, IWG secretariat has raised concern about the delay by other sporting codes in signing the declaration. Out of the more than 30 Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) affiliates, only four codes have signed thus far.
The declaration calls for an increase in the involvement of women in sport at all levels and proposes guiding principles for action plans.
IWG public relations and marketing manager, Boitumelo Kenosi said sporting codes always give varied reasons for their delay to sign the declaration. She said her organisation always reminds sporting codes about it during BNSC meetings. She said if codes do not understand the importance of the declaration, they should feel free to approach her office.
“Since all the invitations were sent out, none of them has approached us to say they are having difficulties in understanding what we are dealing with,” she said.
She said signing could only be done at a time that is convenient to the code especially during events. Kenosi said Botswana Football Association (BFA) had long promised to sign but keep postponing while Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) is expected to sign next month.
Botswana Chess Federation spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge said their plan is to sign the declaration in December when they host the African Chess Challenge, even though the African Chess Confederation (ACC) has signed on behalf of all chess federations on the continent.
Botswana Golf Union (BGU) vice president, Mpho Kelosiwang said the delay was caused by their plan to merge with Botswana Ladies Golf Union. He said they have managed to achieve that and they will find time to sign the declaration.