Affiliates oppose BNSC over media stance
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday March 9, 2017 15:03
Journalists who wanted to cover last weekend’s Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) meeting were left disappointed after they were ordered out after the opening session.
This came after the BNSC chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo sent out a directive to all NSAs that the media should not be part of the main deliberations.
The circular, which has been availed to Mmegi Sport, states that NSAs should ensure that the media only attends the official aspect of their meetings as is the norm in BNSC general meetings.
“You are informed that where substantive issues are being discussed, the media should be excused so as to allow members of the Sport Association to discuss issues without fear of negative publicity,” reads part of the circular. Sedimo said through the circular that in some instances, the media reports portray those in sports as people who cannot account for their actions.
However Botswana Tennis Association vice president, Oaitse Thipe holds a different view. He said the media and sport are partners and it was unfortunate that the Commission was taking the view of the government of silencing the media. “The decision is not fair on us. At the same time we are expected to generate our own revenues through marketing. How can we sell a business case for sport when other issues especially regarding governance are kept away from you as the media?” he quizzed.
He said organisations that fund NSAs such as FIFA and International Tennis Federation (ITF) accommodate the media in their meetings.
Botswana Chess Federation president, Tshenolo Maruatona said general meetings are an opportunity for executive committees to appraise the membership and the media alike on their assigned mandate.
Maruatona said the media is an important stakeholder, the same way the media is invited when things are good. He added that the media should not be sidelined when there are challenges.
“The executive committees are always having their meetings during the year where media is not invited. That is where they can discuss their issues. General meetings are an open platform. I do not see the need to chase away the media,” he said.
Maruatona said it is unfortunate that the commission would like to associate with the media only when things are running smoothly and keep them at bay when things are negative. He added that the media can assist in coming up with solutions that the NSAs might be facing.
BFA public relations officer, Tumo Mpatane said the board has not met to discuss the issue, but until then they would abide.