BAA, BNSC fail to smoke peace pipe
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday May 17, 2019 11:25
The two organisations clashed last week after the athletics team failed to travel to Yokohama, Japan for the IAAF World Relays. As it stands, the BAA faces a P210,000 penalty from the IAAF for failure to send the team.
In the wake of the failed trip, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC), Tshekedi Khama convened a meeting with the two sport bodies this week.
In attendance were senior MYSC officials, BNSC chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo and its director of sport, Bobby Gaseitsiwe.
BAA president, Thari Mooketsi told Mmegi Sport that they were not on the same wavelength with the BNSC.
“BNSC decided to hide the truth from the ministry. It also seems like the ministry does not know its role. MYSC instructed BNSC to assist us but they failed to do that. They have been failing for a long time,” Mooketsi said.
He lambasted BNSC for claiming that they were ready to assist BAA, but they had not bought tickets. He said BNSC should not be using the issue of visas as an excuse.
Mooketsi said there is a follow-up meeting soon as the ministry is still making further investigations.
“Our job as BAA was to facilitate the process and we do not sit in offices. We wrote to BNSC in March informing them about this trip and they replied saying it was still early. We then wrote again in April when the financial year started. Then delay tactics were applied,” he said.
However, it is alleged that BAA admitted during the meeting that they submitted visa applications late. The BAA was also instructed to write a press release indicating that they admit the fault.
“The press release was to reach the ministry on Tuesday before 11am and they failed. They eventually wrote a letter which was not shared,” a source told Mmegi Sport.
Mooketsi admitted that they were supposed to release a statement about the failed trip.
“It is going to be a joint statement between us, BNSC and MYSC. Then next week we should have a joint press conference,” he said.
Responding to questions from this publication, Gaseitsiwe said the ministry would announce the latest development on the matter.
“You would be informed by the ministry on the latest developments. I am not in a position to say what was discussed at the meeting,” he said. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the BAA executive committee, as affiliates have forced the mother body to hold a special general meeting next weekend. There is a possibility that affiliates could pass a vote of no confidence against the committee.
“We are having a special general meeting next weekend, May 25. We are going to discuss the elective congress, which is scheduled for June. Despite that, we are yet to check if we would have enough time to plan for the meeting,” BAA treasurer, Brian Mosweu said.
BAA vice president, Kenneth Kikwe said it was possible that a motion of no confidence would be passed against the executive. The main gripe is that there is mismanagement of funds and that the committee has overstayed in office.