BNSC �Snubs� World Softball Congress
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 16, 2017 15:18
The minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC), Thapelo Olopeng was also absent as he was in San Francisco on official business.
MYSC permanent secretary, Kago Ramokate was the ministry’s representative but the expectation was that, due to the magnitude of the meeting, both Olopeng and Reikeletseng will be part of the congress. Around 300 delegates drawn from 150 countries across the globe attended the three-day meeting which ended on Saturday.
The development comes amid allegations of a fall-out between the sports leadership and Botswana Softball Association (BSA) president, Tirelo Mukokomani.
According to sources, the meeting was in danger of being cancelled at the 11th hour at the instruction of the ministry until late interventions.
“At some stage the congress was almost aborted, but higher authorities intervened. There is bad blood between Mukokomani and the BNSC leadership,” the source said.
Mukokomani said both the minister and BNSC were invited.
“I had expected both to attend,” Mukokomani said briefly.
Efforts to get comments from Olopeng and Reikeletseng were futile at press time, with their mobile numbers unavailable. Olopeng was on his way from San Francisco.
At the meeting, Mukokomani was voted into the WBSC board as vice president at large. The other two vice presidents at large are Taeko Utsugi from Japan and Maria Soto Gil from Venezuela.
Mukokomani told Sport Monitor that he was part of the board that was voted during the African congress elected four years ago. He said being part of the WBSC board means a lot for local softball.
“I have been with these people before. It is not my first time to work with them. I would not be seeking re-election as BSA president next year and that would not have any bearing in my position in the board,” said Mukokomani, who was voted for by 56 out of 86 countries. “What this means is that I have been elected by the entire delegates of softball. It was a resounding victory for me. We cannot at this stage, 40 years down the line be innocent bystanders. We should be part of decision making. Decisions that affect us, affect the world and affect our youth,” he said.
Mukokomani said together with Mashilo Matsetela (vice president-Africa), the continent has two voices in the board. Regarding the voting process, Mukokomani said they had a special congress earlier to rectify the new statutes.
He said initially, the board had been reduced to a lesser number to make it more manageable. He said in the previous arrangement, they had a president but now they have a chairperson.
The board: Tommy Velazquez (chairman), first vice president (Beng Choo Low), Craig Cress (second vice president), Matsetela (vice president Africa), Antonio Morales (vice president Americas), vice president - Asia, Hiromi Tokuda, vice president-Europe (Gabe Waage), Rex Capil (vice president - Oceania), treasurer (Javier Anaya), athlete representative (open) and athlete representative, softball (Nathan Nukunuku).