Tough job lies ahead for new BAA chiefs

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday June 15, 2011 00:00

 

Top of the list of the tasks Kemoen has given the new committee is to investigate the whereabouts of kit items given to the BAA for use during the Africa Junior Championships in Athletics (AJCA) that Botswana hosted last month.

Kemoen told the affiliates gathered at the Yarona Country Lodge in Mogoditshane on Saturday that his office distributed kit items totalling 75 to the BAA and were surprised to learn that the athletes did not have competition gear during the championship.

According to Kemoen, each set comprised a tracksuit, a pair of sneakers, shorts, golf t-shirt, a cap and a kitbag.

The revelation by the executive secretary came as a surprise to many after the host team suffered embarrassment when they had to swap competition attire, as they were not provided with any. Former BAA spokesperson Glody Dube then told the media that the team was not provided with the kit as he was told that was the duty of Bobby Gaseitsewe, the BNSC sports development officer for athletics. Dube revealed that the association did a shoddy work in terms of preparations for the championships, a thing that contributed to the team's dismal performance.

He told Mmegi Sport in an interview after the championships that he had to transport some athletes around town using his own car, and that some athletes did not have accommodation and he had to accommodate them. Dube said he ended up borrowing some kit from the Botswana Integrated Sport Association (BISA) as there was no kit from the association.

The revelation by Dube led to a wrangle between him and former BBA president Moses Bantsi who countered Dube's allegations with a press statement denying they had neglected the team. In the statement, Bantsi shifted the blame to Dube saying he was trying to cover up for his failure to deliver.

Bantsi said the team is provided free kit by Puma but Dube, as the team manager, failed to procure the kit on time, but never said anything about the kit from BNSC. The dispute between the then BAA committee and Dube culminated in the whole committee being dismissed last month, a move that lead to the Saturday election.

Bantsi lost the presidency with his entire committee, while Kemoen barred Dube from contesting the elections as he had a case to answer before the disciplinary committee and was suspended by the previous committee.

Kemoen then asked the incoming committee to immediately investigate Dube's case and determine if he was guilty of any offence. 'He is still part of us as a former athlete and we would very much value his contribution into sports development in the country.

'I, therefore, urge you to look into his case and clear him of any wrongdoing if that is the case so that he can stand for some positions in the association if the opportunity arises in the future,' he said. On another pressing issue, Kemoen asked the committee to investigate financial issue running into millions of Pula used during the AJCA. He did not elaborate.

Kemoen also pleaded with the new team to address some issues among them helping to revive the careers of some female athletes who dropped out due to pregnancy. He highlighted the case of sprinters Goitsemodimo Dikinya (100m) and Kgalalelo Sefu (400m), who had to take a break from athletics due to pregnancy saying it was the duty of the association to give them the necessary support so that they regain their positions among top athletes. The BNSC chief also applauded Amantle Montsho's recent good showing in the IAAF Diamond League where she has twice clinched first position in the 400m.