Media Barred From Volleyball Meeting
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 6, 2017 15:06
Journalists were only allowed to cover the opening session but soon after, BVF president Daniel Molaodi announced that the media was not allowed to sit beyond that. He said the decision to remove the media from the meeting was an instruction from the BNSC chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo.
Molaodi said the development is different from the way they have been conducting their AGMs.
“The letter arrived yesterday from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development. We have been requested to ask you to excuse us as we go into the business of the meeting. You are only allowed to attend the official opening and elections only. Since it is from the ministry, we have to comply. If there are any changes they will come after,” he said.
Molaodi said the directive came on Friday and they had not deliberated on it. He said the instruction might change or may not. He said for purposes of transparency, the media was allowed to attend during elections.
For his part, Sedimo said the rules of the Commission are different from Botswana National Sports Council. He said the directive is binding to all national sport associations, where the media is only allowed to attend the official openings. He said just like BNSC meetings, the media is not allowed when deliberations are on. Sedimo said they do not want their affiliates to conduct meetings in a way that would compromise the associations.
“It is procedure and should be followed. We cannot expect the media to be present when national sport federations are dealing with internal issues. It is only after their meetings that they can inform the media about what they had discussed and resolutions taken,” Sedimo said.
Meanwhile, Molaodi retained his seat as president of the federation, unopposed. Ndibo Lebala is the vice president-administration after garnering 14 votes beating Tebogo Tsie who received one vote. George Keotsene retained his seat as vice president-technical after beating Shakespear Mokubung and Kagiso Meswele. The new post of vice president-beach went to Odirile Sibanda by eight votes over the seven votes for Meswele.
Moabi Tlalampe was unopposed for the treasurer’s position. Another new position of media relations and marketing officer went to Meswele with 10 votes beating Mokubung who received three votes and Letlhogonolo William who got a single vote. Edgar Serole is the new additional member after beating Ruth Mbangwa and Kgomotso Tseleng.