BOKA committee gets four-year extension
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday May 11, 2018 14:17
The committee, led by Sensei Tshepho Bathai, was voted into office in 2016 for a two-year term, but now the mandate has been further extended to 2021. Bathai has brought calm to a once troubled organisation which was frequently punctuated by in-fighting. On his return, after he was unceremoniously kicked out before the end of his reign in his first stint, Bathai has steadied the ship. The decision to extend their term of office was taken in Serowe on Saturday, during BOKA’s ordinary general meeting (OGM).
“I am humbled and it means affiliates have so much hope, in myself as the president to guide the executive committee and the affiliates into the future. They expressed hope in initiatives started and pledged their support to see them through. It means we should forge ahead with implementation. There is still a lot to be done,” Bathai told Mmegi Sport yesterday. When asked how an association, which was once a battleground, had found peace, Bathai said the affiliates know what he wants. “Nobody can fabricate lies anymore,” he added. Bathai said they have increased consultation with all their stakeholders. He said they have included all federations in the BOKA structures, regardless of who they supported in the past. Bathai said he has learnt that, if he is humble, he is not a threat to anyone. “Some people behave in a way that dominates others. That is a mistake we have been making at BOKA. If I want cooperation of others around me, we must make them feel they are important. I do so, by being genuine and humble. I know that other members have qualities that are better than mine,” Bathai said.
Meanwhile, the new constitution adopted at the OGM gives federations two years to normalise new membership requirements.
Bathai said there is a task force that has been given a mandate to come up with Appeals Board regulations. “The new policies that were adopted are the national team selection policy, national team performance policy, code of conduct and disciplinary policy,” he said.
The general membership welcomed a new member, International Shotokan Karate Federation Botswana (ISKF). The meeting also appointed six commissions; technical, development, organising, referees, athletes and finance.