BNOC attempts to evict Makwala
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 6, 2022 06:00
The BNOC board requested Makwala to vacate the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village after the athlete indicated he had pulled out of the competition which is currently underway in the United Kingdom.
On Sunday, BNOC announced Makwala’s retirement from the national team through a press statement, with chef de mission, Yarona Sharp confirming the athlete's decision to Mmegi Sport. Makwala was unamused that the BNOC had announced his decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games. But Sharp said the Olympics body made the right call.
“Makwala withdrew from the Commonwealth Games and communicated that decision to us after he requested to be compensated and we could not meet the demands as he wants to compete at the Diamond League. Him being in our custody, it is our duty to announce his withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games,” Sharp explained. According to sources, the BNOC board sent Sharp to tell Makwala to vacate the village.
“Sharp was instructed to inform Makwala that he should leave the Village. She then sent general teams manager, Modise Mgadla to deliver the news to the athlete. But the ticket that Makwala has was for Thursday (yet they wanted him to leave on Monday),” a source said.
Makwala had a meeting with Sharp on Sunday and the athlete made it clear that it was not the BNOC that assisted him to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.
“He told her that if they want him to run (at the Commonwealth Games), they should refund him the money he spent during preparations. He also wanted to benefit like the rest of the team. After that meeting, that was when BNOC released a press release (about his retirement),” the source further said. BNOC bought Makwala a flight ticket on Tuesday and he was due to travel to Amsterdam and connect to Poland where he will compete in the Diamond League on Saturday.
“Makwala refused to take the ticket because his ticket is for Thursday,” a source said. Contacted for comment, Makwala told Mmegi Sport that he was surprised by the BNOC board’s decision. “I wondered where they wanted me to go because the ticket I had was for Thursday. It was just an emotional decision,” he said.
Makwala added the BNOC overlapped their role when they announced his retirement. “How can they talk about my retirement while I am not their athlete? I am under the BAA (Botswana Athletics Association) and they should be the ones announcing my retirement,” he said. For his part, BAA president, Paphane Botlhale said he has not received any official communication about Makwala’s retirement.
When asked about the decision to eject Makwala from the Athletes Village, Botlhale said he was not aware of the incident.
“I am not aware and BNOC is better placed to talk about that. I am not a BNOC board member,” he said. When asked about Makwala’s decision to pull out of the team, Botlhale said he was yet to get a report from the team management.