Rumbles as ruggers go to polls tomorrow

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday February 22, 2008 00:00

The main issue on the agenda will be the election of a new committee where the incumbent president, Dave Gilbert, will face his deputy Bob Lekan in a two-horse race. It was revealed recently that the two seem to have personal problems between them to sort out. The source of the trouble is the letter that the president is reported to have written to affiliates allegedly denouncing his committee. That did not go down well with Lekan.

Gilbert, who indicated last year that he would not seek re-election this year, said in the letter that he had found himself 'compelled to reconsider his decision' as he did not trust the motives of some people in the committee and questioned their ability to take the sport to the next level. The rivalry between the two is so intense that the executive committee had to call for the intervention of BRU patron Isaac Kgosi to cool tempers.

Jan Erasmus of the Molepolole College of Education (MCE) club believes the time for a change has come. 'I appreciate what Gilbert and his committee have done but we need change,' he said. Erasmus observed that they have not been happy about the way things were done in the past two years. He cited poor communication as one the major hiccups hindering rugby administration in the country. Erasmus also said that they do not have access to the union's financial statements and so 'we never get to understand how the money is used'. He would not say who the ideal candidates were but indicated that he would 'support 'anyone who stands against Gilbert'.

BDF Cheetahs' Bronson Lekgaba would not say much about the incumbent president, as his club has not had much interaction with him. He said they expected the president to 'interact a lot with the teams' but that has not been the case. Lekgaba said there are many issues that they feel could have been addressed during Gilbert's reign. However, he believes the little that he (Gilbert) has done is better than nothing. Chairperson of UB Rhinos Lesedi Keekae also said Gilbert and his committee have achieved a lot. He cited the improvement of the national team - the Vultures - as one outstanding example. However, he admitted that there are some things that the committee failed to address.

'I think the committee has achieved some big things and I believe they can still do more,' he said. He advised that whoever takes the presidency should make resuscitation of teams as a priority. Another position up for grabs is that of vice president where the current treasurer, Joe Thokweng, will battle it out with Mpho Masisi. The position of treasurer has Motshegetsi Bontseng as the only contender while Pandor is also unopposed as secretary. Erasmus, Fiona Selato, Mooketsi Ramakele, Shaun Leen and Boi Maphane will slug it out for two additional members.