BoBA seeks financial independence

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday December 8, 2010 00:00

 

During a special general meeting held in Mogoditshane on Saturday, BoBA resolved to embark on a fundraising initiative next year to meet the targeted figure.

BoBA spokesman, Willoughby Kemoen told Mmegi Sport that they will appoint a committee responsible for overseeing the fundraising initiative. The target is to raise P500,000 next year and BoBA has already lined-up a number of activities to realise the goal. These include 'Boxing and Dine' and the President's Cup. In Boxing and Dine, international boxers will be invited to compete with locals in a paid corporate-like event. The President's Cup competition will be held to honour President Ian Khama for his contribution to sports development in the country.

The competition will be held during President's Day holiday in July with the national team pitting its wits against a foreign squad.

Besides financial matters, the meeting discussed the newly amended constitution and evaluated the performance of the association this year. Kemoen said it is always essential as a sports organisation to retrospect to see what they have achieved and the shortcomings so as to correct mistakes and to improve delivery.

BoBA ended their 2010 calendar a fortnight ago with the Best of the Best tournament in Gaborone. Kemoen said that at the Saturday meeting, the affiliates endorsed a proposal in the amended constitution to create the new position of vice-secretary. He said the affiliates gave the committee the go-ahead to fill the position until the elections in June next year. He said they are planning to appoint a female to the position to empower women in the male-dominated code.

BoBA intends to give boxers a break in September every year before the national championships. Kemoen said they tried to align their programmes with the new schools' calendar as some of their boxers are still going to school. He said they are very satisfied with BoBA's performance this year because Botswana boxers continue to win medals for the country in international competitions. Recently, the national boxing team brought home two medals, silver and a bronze from the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Local pugilists remain a force to reckon with in the region and in Africa where they always shine.

Kemoen said they will improve their working relationship with the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) next year as they prepare athletes for the 2012 London Olympics. BoBA already has one boxer, Bathusi Mogajane, enrolled in the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) Road to 2012 Boxing Programme that prepares young boxers for the 2012 Olympics.