Things could turn sour for the board if the athletics house is not in order ahead of the start of the 2025 season, clubs have warned. The BAA held a Special General Meeting (SGM) over the weekend in Gaborone where the situation came to a head. At the start of the meeting, it was clear the affiliates were prepared to take on the Moses Bantsi-led board. Ramotswa Athletics Club chairperson, Harold Mosomane, told MmegiSport that the affiliates requested the SGM after realising that things were not going according to plan. “The board and secretariat were and are still miles away from affiliates; (they are) not serving affiliates' interests. Affiliates used the power given to them by Section 19 of the BAA constitution, which allows them to call such a meeting. It was not an easy thing as it was very clear from the onset that the board was not comfortable with facing affiliates on matters outlined in the request,” he said. Mosomane said an Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) was called instead of the requested SGM, although the OGM was also due. The affiliates preferred a problem-solving SGM than a usual generic OGM, he said.
The official added that some of the issues that were of concern included poor communication from the BAA board, the 2024 athletics season electronic timing being below expectation, conflict of interest between affiliates and the board over events such as Botswana Gaborone Golden Grand Prix and the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon. The affiliates also complained about the unavailability of rules and regulations leading to the use of discretion and subjective decisions. The abuse of power during the selection of athletes, coaches, and managers for national teams was another matter of concern. Affiliates also needed clarity on sponsorships and other funds given to the associations and their usage. “The SGM was forced by affiliates on a set-up planned for an OGM. All issues were discussed, and both parties agreed that all is not well, and there has to be a shift in the way things are done before the beginning of the new athletics season,” Mosomane said. He accused the board of being dishonest when asked about their relationship with affiliates. “During the meeting, they denied taking away the Golden Grand Prix from its owner, Glody Dube, only for a letter to emerge confirming otherwise. They travelled to the Bahamas to discuss Dube’s event in his absence,” he said. A BAA letter to affiliates, dated April 26, 2023, stated that government and the BAA delegates flew to the Bahamas for the World Relays to submit a report on the Golden Grand Prix court case and submit a bid to host the Africa Senior Championships 2026, and World Athletics Relays.
The delegates included the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) CEO, Tuelo Serufho, Alema Maruping (BNSC), Bantsi (BAA), Pinkie Wilson (BAA), and Tiroyaone Sedimo (BAA legal advisor). Moroka Athletics Club chairperson, Moshe Gochela, said task teams have been set up to work directly with the board to address issues raised. “Timelines have been set for the task teams. Rules and regulations for national team selection will be established. Athletics competitions have qualifying standards, but in some instances, athletes who had qualified were left out because selection was influenced by certain individuals,” he said. Gochela said the board has been requested to have an agreement with Tshepo Kelaotswe, who is the only qualified electronic timer in the country before the season starts. It was also agreed that Kelaotswe should train other officials who are willing to be electronic timers to be able to cover for him in his absence. In response to the concerns, the BAA vice president-administration, Oabona Theetso, said the affiliates were best placed to articulate their issues. “I might think the SGM addressed their concerns while on the other end they think otherwise,” Theetso said.
