Police officer targets softball's top spot
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 6, 2018 13:27
Mosimanegape has been deputising Mukokomani for the past six years. He said he is more than ready to step into Mukokomani’s shoes as he narrated his journey in softball thus far.
“I started playing softball at Seepapitso Secondary School. After secondary school, I joined the Botswana Police Service. I stayed for a while and in 1989 I was posted to Palapye where we formed Motlakase Softball Club. I was a player at the club until I was transferred to Maun. I met other people who also had interest in the game and we formed another club,” he said.
Mosimanegape said the club could not register with BSA due to logistics. He returned to Gaborone in 1995 and was posted at Central Police Station. In 2001, he was moved to Police College and he was appointed Sports Master.
“Police College was under BOTTESA. I built a softball team for the college and I was the coach with the little experience I had,” he said.
Mosimanegape returned to Gaborone in 2007 and was taken in by Police IV as a manager. He said the club was not doing well and he started rebuilding both the men and women’s teams. He said at one point he was appointed Southern zone general manager.
Mosimanegape said he relinquished his role as general manager to become the vice president in 2013.
“During my term as vice president, I learnt a lot. I decided to contest as president because Mukokomani is not seeking another term. I feel what we have done should be taken to another level. It does not mean we agreed on everything, but I regard him (Mukokomani) as a go-getter,” Mosimanegape said.
He believes that he is at a stage where he can contribute to the development of softball. He said it is not about the position but the passion he has for the sport. “Ga se kgang ya maemo!”
“Even at work, in 2008 I was appointed to head a team that was developing physical fitness sports and social responsibility policy fund of BPS,” he said.
Mosimanegape said when he came into office six years ago, the executive committee had an agenda that was meant to take softball to another level.
“We were keen on infrastructure development and partnerships. We wanted to have a continuous league to make sure that players are always engaged. I admit that we have not accomplished everything that we wanted to achieve,” he said.
Mosimanegape together with his campaign team called the ‘A team’ have set up a 10-point agenda.
The key strategic focus areas are: governance, sport development, financial management prudence, communication protocol, fair and inclusive competitions, stakeholder relations and partnerships, infrastructure development, masters organisation, reaching out to veterans and social responsibility.
Regarding the issue of institutional teams versus independent clubs, Mosimanegape said they do not draw the line between the two structures.
“Our clubs are the same and you must remember that all sporting codes have institutional teams. We are encouraging all our clubs to be self-sustaining. They must be able to go out there and seek sponsorship for themselves. Institutional teams do not have full sponsorship,” he said.
Mosimanegape said that all clubs are struggling adding that the issue of grants to clubs has been pending for sometime now.
He said together with his campaign team, the aim is to establish two leagues.
“It is something that can be discussed by the general assembly that teams that are newly registered should join at the lower bracket, develop and qualify for the upper league. Both leagues will have sponsorship. All this can be discussed by the affiliates,” he said.
He said it is an assignment for the leadership to work hard and get more sponsorship.
Reacting to infighting within the leadership, Mosimanegape refused to discuss much on the issue. “We differ in terms of approach to issues and principles. If we do not share the same vision, we end up with those fights. I have agreed with my team to avoid those things,” he said.
Mosimanegape will face a tough challenge from CEDA chief executive officer, Thabo Thamane who has thrown his name in the ring.
Mosimanegape’s A Team: Batsetswe Gontlafetse (vice president), Kopano Kenneth (technical development officer), Lapologang Ketlhoilwe (treasurer), Renny Molete (competitions organiser), Dr Nozibonela Malunga-Payet (secretary general) and Molekane Bokhutlo (PRO).