Kgosietsile calls for calm ahead of elections
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday May 23, 2017 16:49
Kgosietsile, who is not seeking re-election, made the plea during the BNOC ordinary general meeting (OGM) held at Cresta Lodge over the weekend. Kgosietsile has been at the helm of BNOC for the past 16 years. Second vice president, Letsholo Letsholo is also not contesting the elections.
Kgosietsile said while the prospective candidates are campaigning, they should do that with integrity. He said BNOC is a brand and when it is messed with, it would be affected negatively.
“Say what you are going to do for BNOC, not what the other person did not do. Sport leaders have the tendency of undressing each other in public and that scares away sponsors. You should always bear in mind the integrity of your federations,” he said.
Kgosietsile said candidates should be quality volunteers. He said such mindset makes it difficult for the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development to argue their case with government.
He said it was important for sport leaders to respect each other. He said it always pains him to see a situation whereby an executive committee is elected and then some individuals try to pull them down.
“Let us give women a chance as you go around nominating candidates. Do not think about them in terms of being ordinary board member. It would do us credit if there are in the position of vice president upwards,” he said.
Kgosietsile said that would be a demonstration of commitment to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He said women have to be given meaningful positions and their numbers on the board should be increased. He said IOC has a percentage set for women and Botswana should be above that percentage.
Kgosietsile pointed out that there are many women sport leaders in the country, but when it comes to the BNOC board, they always fall behind. The elections committee consisting of Annah Max, Bob Lekan, Christopher Maabong and Max Nthusang was unveiled at the OGM.
Meanwhile, the BNOC has extended the contract of athletics coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe effective February 2017 up to December 2018. Otsetswe is based in Gaborone and works with some of the country’s top athletes such as Baboloki Thebe, Karabo Sibanda, Amantle Montsho and Boitumelo Masilo amongst others.
The BNOC has also contracted Kate Carpenter, the netball coach from New Zealand. Carpenter is assisting Team Botswana in preparation for the World Netball Youth Cup that Botswana hosts in July.