This follows this week's developments where the Gaborone High Court granted an interdict halting preparations for the Grand Prix. The applicant, Golden Door Sports Agency took the matter to court after the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) granted the rights to organise the event to the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA). The BAA, the BNSC, American company, Rwag Group, World Athletics are cited as respondents and so are the BNSC chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho, the BAA president, Moses Bantsi and Rwag sports consultant, Robert Wagner.
But yesterday, the BAA, reacting to the court developments, wrote to World Athletics urging them to cancel this year's edition. "BAA and BNSC were willing to proceed with the event as scheduled, however due to circumstances, we are hamstrung to do so. Even if we are successful on April 5 (when the matter is concluded in court), it would be very late to execute the event on April 14th considering the preparations necessary to successfully host a world class event," BAA president, Moses Bantsi said in the letter addressed to World Athletics' chief executive officer.
"We therefore humbly seek your indulgence to the effect of rescheduling and/or postponement of the same event owing to the reasons articulated above," Bantsi added. Last week, Golden Door Sports Agency managing director, Glody Dube had filed an application at the Gaborone High Court to interdict the BAA and the BNSC from organising the event. Justice Tshepo Motswagole of the Gabotone High Court said preparations for the event should be suspended amongst other orders that he granted. “Preparations for the event are hereby restrained and interdicted with immediate effect,” he said. Justice Motswagole stated that the order should be forwarded to World Athletics. Motswagole said since the event is around the corner and athletes, and sponsors are going to be affected, there is need to quickly finalise the matter. Tiroyamodimo Sedimo and Philip Nyamambi appeared on behalf of BAA, the BNSC, Serufho, Bantsi and Wagner. World Athletics and Rwag Group were not represented in court. Ishmael Matebele represented Golden Door Sport Agency.
“To be fair with you, World Athletics we just cited it for the purpose to get the stay. As we speak, negotiations are ongoing between World Athletics and Golden Door Sports Agency, that there were irregularities more especially when it comes to allegations of embezzlement,” Matebele told MmegiSport after the ruling. Matebele said they would forward the order to World Athletics and try to find a cordial way forward. He said it was their hope to have the same spirit with other respondents, that they sit down and discuss the issue for the benefit of the country. “It is difficult to resolve this matter outside court, because it is personal more than business, the involved parties do not see eye-to-eye,” he said.
Matebele said there are a number of people against Golden Door Sports Agency. “If you are to read Serufho’s founding affidavit, he states that World Athletics will give whoever they want the rights to host, it does not matter who it is, they will work with them. Imagine balancing that and the rights being taken from a local company,” Matebele said. He said Golden Door Sports Agency still has the Gold Status and would proceed with the event. The arguments of the case are set to continue on April 5 at the Gaborone High Court.
