Raditladi Replaces Lebotse-Sebego As Netball President
Bonte Seepi | Monday October 16, 2017 15:18
Raditladi emerged victorious following a tight contest against Onkemetse Mpudi and Dr Kebatenne Hulela at the BONA annual general meeting (AGM) held at the Majestic 5 Hotel here on Saturday. Raditladi garnered seven votes against Mpudi’s six and Hulela’s two votes.
Earlier on in her address, Sebego-Lebotse expressed gratitude to netballers for trusting her leadership saying she was leaving a happy woman. She said the highlight was hosting the Netball Youth World Cup in July, which was a first for the Botswana and Africa.
She said she was leaving netball with a healthy bank account of P500,000.
Lebotse-Sebego, however, said she was disappointed with some BONA affiliates who were negatively influencing national team players. She said such people need to introspect and know that when a coach has been appointed, she must be left to do her job. She also condemned the pampering of players and treating them like superstars.
“After the World Cup, there were some reports that Dinaletsana complained about returning kits. I wonder if that was coming from the players or elders in BONA. You must know that Dinaletsana are only celebrities to the people outside, but to us they are very young children who still need to be nurtured. “Let’s not treat them like superstars because once they get to the senior national team, we won’t be able to control them. The youngest player in the team is 20 years, so let us bring them to order if necessary,” she said.
Lebotse-Sebego also called for the protection of netball achievements and encouraged that players be put at the centre of every netball decision. She urged her successor to be firm, frank and fair in her leadership.
In her appreciation speech, the newly elected president promised to continue from where Lebotse-Sebego and her committee left. Raditladi said the new committee’s intention is to share their skills and not to settle any scores. “We promise to be committed to BONA and to see to it that we resolve the issues in the netball fraternity including those of gender equality,” said Raditladi.
Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) representative, Steve Botlhasitse said the outgoing committee can walk away with its head high after making the country proud by hosting the youth world cup. He urged the new committee to be passionate about its job.
“The new committee ought to be passionate about what they do and dedicate time and resources to BONA activities. Being a leader in sport is all about sacrifice and you will have to work hard as a team to try to source sponsorship for the sporting code in order to increase the grants given by BNSC.”
Seipei Gaeleswe is the new vice president (projects and events), after she was unopposed, Lorato Thebekgosi is the vice president (technical), as she too was unchallenged while Hulela is the secretary general. Gaone Kepadisa is the treasurer, while Masego Serumula defeated Regent Pitso for the post of sport development officer. Theresa Hirschfield was unopposed for the position of public relations officer, while Lebotse-Sebego is the ex-officio member.