Suppliers still unpaid from Netball World Cup
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday September 21, 2017 15:33
Botswana staged the first African World netball event from July 8-16, but some suppliers engaged by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) are still waiting for payment. One transport provider (name withheld) this week refused to offer services to the Hayashi-Ha team that is expected to travel to Cape Town, South Africa for a tournament today. The transporter has not been paid for services rendered during the netball world cup, and decided against doing business with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), which is in charge of payments, until the bill is settled.
“The company directors informed the team that since they are a BNSC affiliate they cannot be assisted because the BNSC still owes them. By yesterday, there was still a stand-off between the two parties. The transporter wants all their money. We are just hopeful that the BNSC resolves the matter so that the team can travel,” he said.
The source said Hayashi-ha has never had a problem with the transport company and was hopeful that the matter will be resolved.
BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng admitted that they still owe suppliers.
“I would like to apologise to the suppliers for the delay in payments. We are working hard to resolve the matter,” he said yesterday.
Reikeletseng said hosting a world event means there should be a lot of transactions made. He said there is still some accounting to be carried out by the LOC and that takes time.
“They have to deal with a lot of books and that is not an overnight job. You must also realise that we are dealing with volunteers,” Reikeletseng said.
Meanwhile, Hayashi-ha Karate Union chairperson, Shihan Mpho Bakwadi could not be drawn into discussing the transport challenge. He said all he knows is that his team is leaving today. He said preparations for the Cape Town Open have been going well and the mood is positive in the camp. He said 35 athletes, who include 12 black belts will attend the championship.
“We also have juniors who are expected to use the competition for exposure. We have five athletes who recently competed at an international competition in Spain. With such a squad, I expect nothing but the best from them,” he said.