I also have distaste for words like apartheid, boss and so on and feel such words should no longer be used.
Monitor's reporter highlighted an extremely unpleasant situation at the BTA tennis courts. However, I would not blame this situation on children at all. Naturally, children are 'colour blind' and so are very comfortable in each other's company and enjoy it, irrespective of their appearance in colour. One should only see them together during tennis events such as Kim's Auto Junior tournament. Psychologists have it that children learn everything in the first eight or so years of their lives. The BTA and all parents, including these coaches, should therefore not allow the herein mentioned situation, which tends to open children's eyes to colour. I was quoted to have used words like 'fight' this totally undesirable practice and if need be engage the police. Well, there should be no need for a 'fight' because all of us as parents should be mindful of the environment we want our children to grow in. Sports development goes beyond turning children into playing machines. It also encompasses imparting societal values to children from parents, especially coaches, geared to making them responsible and 'well balanced' adults.
Now, there are not too many things that will make me happier than seeing children enjoy their tennis with or without a coach. Children have a great imagination hence they can learn a lot of tennis on their own, and even teach their coach. The path to follow is one carved by my predecessors, notably the late great Mrs Tlhapane and Dr Letsunyane. Allow children free access to the tennis courts and let them enjoy their tennis to the point where each day they look forward to playing. Under the current chaotic situation, children enrolled into the BTA programme can never be certain of free access to courts particularly outside their coaching times.
One has to appreciate that the BTA's mandate is ridiculously ambitious. An obvious consequence of this is that there will always be very divergent views of carrying out the BTA mandate among committee members, especially that they are not brain-dead. Unless I have somehow lost my senses, I would not accept to be 'quoted' moaning that I am not getting cooperation from some committee members. Now, in any work environment, one must demonstrate emotional maturity, which should also afford one tolerance and the patience to work cordially even with one's worst enemies. I have to admit that one of my numerous weaknesses is that I am 'allergic' to the highest form of stupidity. In my cognitive arena, you are stupid if you insist that you are right and everyone else is wrong.
Well, now that it is in the open, yes there have been some resignations, for 'personal reasons'. Anything for public consumption can therefore only be handed out by them.
Monkami Masale
GABORONE
