Mmegi

BNSC board slows down BFA probe

House of probe: Lekidi Centre houses the BFL office PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
House of probe: Lekidi Centre houses the BFL office PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The absence of a board at the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) has thrown spanners in the works of a commission tasked with probing leadership challenges facing local football. In March, the BNSC appointed a three-member committee to investigate a leadership crisis at the Botswana Football League (BFL).

At the time, the BFL indicated that the report would be made public, but the delayed appointment of the BNSC board has slowed down progress. The commission has concluded its work, but without a BNSC board in place, there is no way to deliver the document. The previous board, led by Marumo Morule, appointed the commission but the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, has delayed naming the new office bearers.

The BNSC communications manager, Anderson Nlisana, said the document is likely complete, but they will have to wait for the appointment of a new board to have progress on the matter. “It is likely that the commission has completed its job but there is no one who can receive the report because there is no board. Even the CEO can’t receive the report because he will be in breach of corporate governance principles. I am very optimistic that a new board would have been appointed before the end of the week,” Nlisana said.

Tensions at the BFL remain high as warring factions, one pitting the chairperson, Nicholas Zakhem and the other shareholders, are still at each other’s throats. The disgruntled shareholders reported Zakhem to Rakgare, complaining that he makes arbitrary decisions. Rakgare then referred the matter to the BNSC, which in turn appointed the committee to probe the crisis. The minister has on more than one occasion, hit out at football authorities for the mess. The 2023-2024 season ends tomorrow after a topsy-turvy campaign, which played out more in the boardroom than the pitch.

Editor's Comment
A step in the right direction

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