Rugby on autopilot as members desert
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday February 8, 2019 12:10
Some of the executive committee members have left town, Ernest Mantsi (secretary general) is in Mmadinare while Donald Kandima (additional member) stays in Maun. Vice president-administration, Bob Lekan and vice president-technical, Sean Irish are the only two left in charge of the union.
Despite the skeletal executive committee, elections are only due next year. Some people within the rugby fraternity are calling for Farid Pandor, the BRU’s disciplinary committee chairperson, to be elevated to the president’s post. Pandor has served under former presidents, Dave Gilbert as secretary and vice president under Bob Lekan.
Pandor told Mmegi Sport that he has done his part and it is time a new person takes over.
“We should be able to bring in a new president. That would be an indication that we are grooming good administrators. We want progress in sport,” he said.
Pandor said before a new president is appointed, there should be an investigation to establish what really drives people away from the office. He said Gilbert and Keekae have resigned without giving affiliates valid reasons except that it is personal.
“We want to know what is wrong. As BDF Cheetahs we have been pushing for an annual general meeting because it is the only platform where we can discuss issues. The former presidents have never asked for help from us as clubs,” Pandor said.
He said as the chairperson of the disciplinary committee, he deals with on and off the field incidents. He said during the execution of his duties, he has realised that some executive committee members fuelled certain incidents. Pandor said the state of rugby is heartbreaking, but all the blame cannot be on the executive.
“Clubs must be included, hence we are calling for an AGM in order for us to introspect,” he said.
For his part, Lekan said if affiliates want to give him another chance to lead, he is ready to take over. Lekan said he has never declined a national calling.
“The executive committee is allowed to co-opt a president and we expect that to be done before end of this week. If they appoint me, I am ready to serve. I am somebody who does not allow personality clashes to cloud my judgment,” he said. Lekan said individuals who resigned failed to deal with such issues, which is the reason why they quit.