Exercise your power in sport leadership
Naledi Lemogang | Friday October 20, 2017 14:18
Speaking during the IWG second open discussion with Tsoseletso Magang on Wednesday, Makgato said Botswana has a lot of powerful women in sport. She said it is only that they do not know they have the power. She said Botswana provides an environment where women can be what they want if they do not shy away to take that responsibility.
“It is not like women are denied participation in sport leadership; it is because most of women in sport trust men which is why they continuously give them better positions in leadership.
I am not saying women should be given leadership just because they are women but based on their capabilities,” Makgato said.
She said most women need motivators who can make them believe in their power and put it to practice.
Makgato explained that during her period in sports leadership she played a very big role in encouraging both men and women to be where they are now in sport leadership. She gave as an example the former Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego, who recently stepped down after leading the netball body for the past 10 years.
“I encouraged Lebotse-Sebego 10 years ago to run for BONA presidency because I could notice that she has the potential that she does not want to believe.
She was then voted the president on which today I am proud of what she has done in the sport,” Makgato noted.
She further urged women and men in sport to support and encourage each other for the benefit of gender balance in Botswana.
The discussion was led by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) national course director, Tsoseletso Magang. Botswana National Olympic Committee chief executive officer Tuelo Serufho graced the event and shared his experience in working with women.
He applauded the women he worked with for the energy they put in sport, saying that women work best with men and it is just that most of them drag their feet towards taking better leadership roles in sport even though they are capable.