Constituency tourneys joy short-lived
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 2, 2018 13:56
An earlier statement from the ministry regarding the postponement of the tournaments had torched celebrations on social media.The tournaments are loved and loathed in equal measure, with participants pleased with returns, while mainstream sports administrators have expressed their misgivings.
Administrators argue the tournaments have taken away talent from organised sport, due to incentives offered. They want dialogue around the matter to see how the competitions can be brought under mainstream activities.
“I hope and pray that Constituency Sport does not come back at all. If it comes back, I pray it is not in the current format. Organised and properly regulated sport struggles against this animal.
“It is necessary to review and come up with a format that supports organised sport more aggressively and purposefully than recreational sport. It is time Botswana sport to have an intelligent conversation,” former Botswana Netball president, Tebogo Lebotse Sebego, who is also Africa Netball president, wrote on her Facebook post.
The competitions are the brainchild of former president, Ian Khama, and at one stage, FIFA threatened to suspend the Botswana Football Association (BFA), citing government interference in the running of football.
Yesterday, the minister had announced that the Gaborone District games would be postponed due to insufficient funds, sparking speculation that the initiative would be scrapped all together.
“MYSC-Gaborone district wish to inform the general public that CST Cycle 3 and CAC 2 has been suspended owing to lack of funds until further notice,” the initial statement read.
But within minutes, another statement was released, announcing that there was miscommunication regarding the matter.
MYSC permanent secretary, Kago Ramokate told Mmegi Sport that the initial communication was leaked. He said the notice was supposed to be an internal communication, but unfortunately it reached the public.
“That notice was for internal purposes but unfortunately somebody sent it out,” he said.
Ramokate said the tournaments and arts competitions would continue and they have not been suspended, with registration “ongoing as planned.”