BTTA president drops out of race
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday April 28, 2017 14:30
“Unfortunately or fortunately, I will not stand for this year’s elections due to personal matters. I have recently opened an agency in South Africa so I would not be able to give the table tennis family maximum attention,” Maifala revealed yesterday.
He further said the task of leading a committee of people working on voluntary basis was difficult as on numerous occasions he had to double up duties as they dragged their feet in completing tasks.
“The wish to continue is there, but due to the work at hand I cannot continue as the president. It is always hard leading a team of people who do not share the same vision as you,” he added. Maifala leaves former president, Thebe Selema as the front-runner.
The latter confirmed to this publication on Wednesday that he will contest for the position he left three years ago. “I have been consulting with the relevant stakeholders, and yes it is true that I am offering myself for the position of president. The clubs that we have talked to are happy and have shown great support,” he said.
Selema was BTTA president until 2014 when he decided against seeking re-election leaving Maifala unopposed. The former Smash Maniacs player said his return was motivated by the sluggish development of the sport from grassroots level. “I have realised that there is a need to put more emphasis on the development. I have been in talks with people from the private sector who are more than willing to sponsor my course.”
“For me table tennis is a big code. We should have a proper structure that will ensure the proper development of the sport in the country. I know the challenges of leading the sport. It is important that there is proper coaching, and assessment of players and coaches,” he said.
With less than two weeks left until the D-day, Selema said he does not think he has started his campaign late as he says he has been working behind the scenes before he could publicly announce his candidacy. “I have never left the sport totally. I have been around consulting the stakeholders before I could launch my campaign,” he said.
However, Selema was adamant that his come back is not motivated by any form of maladministration as he heaped praise on Maifala and his committee.
“The current committee continued with the programme that we made. I do talk to him (Maifala) on several occasions. He has not talked to me about retaining his position and if he does, we are going to have a clean fight. We are on good terms and I think he will be happy to be replaced by someone of my capabilities as I did with him in 2014,” the soft-spoken administrator said.
Selema is said to have won the backing of Smash Maniacs, Jwaneng, Dithubaruba and Nhabe table tennis clubs.
According to information reaching this publication, BTTA competitions secretary Kudzanani Motswagole is considering standing for the presidency. Motswagole has been serving in the executive committee since 2014 under Maifala and is said to be running his campaign behind closed doors.
Only chairpersons and secretary-generals of affiliated clubs will vote in the May 8 elections.