BCF divided over constitution
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday March 29, 2017 14:41
The constitution was adopted in 2013 and states that “a member does not qualify to stand for elections if he or she has served in the committee for two consecutive terms”.
The constitution came into effect when the current committee was already in office, and the understanding from some who want to seek re-election is that the period that matters is from 2013.
The BCF is preparing to hold elections next month and question marks have arisen on who qualifies to stand. Some members of the current committee; Tshenolo Maruatona (president), Keenese Katisenge (public relations director), Vincent Masole (technical director) and Alex Mpuisang (secretary general) want another term.
Maruatona, Katisenge, Masole and Mpuisang had their first term in office from 2011 to 2013 under the previous constitution. The new constitution was implemented when the four were given a fresh mandate in 2013.
Katisenge declined to comment on her eligibility for fear of being disqualified from the race. It is alleged that attorneys have been consulted on the matter and they are also divided.
BCF president, Maruatona told Mmegi Sport that the issue has been referred to the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) for guidance on the way forward.
Meanwhile, BCF’s hopes of hosting the 2017 edition of the Zone 4.3 Chess Championship have been dashed by the BNSC. The regional championship was scheduled to be held in Gaborone next month. Katisenge said the BNSC argued the BCF had failed to follow hosting regulations.
“BNSC has a hosting policy which should be followed by all National Sport Associations (NSAs). The challenge we are having is that the BCF hosting policy does not align with that of the BNSC,” she said.
Katisenge said the affiliates have been informed about the BNSC decision. She said they are now in the process of informing Africa Chess Confederation (ACC). She said they intend to advice ACC to consider the BNSC hosting policy when they want BCF to host any event.