Sedimo okays awards procedures

The Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Chief Executive Officer, Falcon Sedimo says the current guidelines they use to choose winners of the Annual National Sports Awards will continue to be used until they are reviewed.

This follows an uproar that ensued when Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) Umpire Emmanuel Kgaboetsile was declared the winner of the 2018 Sports Person of the year last week. The award saw the sport fraternity that had filled Baisago Convention Centre frown at the BNSC’s choice of a winner.

This week, there has been a call from various stakeholders that BNSC needs to review its policies as it was not fair for administrators to compete with athletes for the Sports Person of the year award. The weekend turnout of events came more of a shock to some as the award has never been won by an administrator before.

When reached, Sedimo said that it might have never happened that an administrator wins the prestigious award but it was well within the guidelines. He added that if National Sport Associations (NSAs) feel that the guidelines are not favourable to any entity, the Associations are at liberty to state so and their desires will be implemented.

Quizzed if the BNSC does not fear there could be conflict of interest since decisions by coaches and umpires have a bearing or influence on the performance of athletes, he said, “Coaches and administrators have a code of conduct that regulates them. Anybody who misdirects himself or herself will be dealt with accordingly.”

Meanwhile, allegations making rounds are that the 400m runner, Isaac Makwala who was declared the sportsman of the year might not be in good books with the BNSC. The 2018 Commonwealth games gold medalist was absent during the glitz and glamour night after he had told this publication three days prior the event that he had not received any invite to the awards ceremony.

“Where is this coming from? The BNSC does not deal with individual athletes or players. The commission has a relationship with NSA’s who submit nominees for adjudication,” Sedimo said.The BNSC CEO further said that only NSA’s were charged with the responsibility to communicate directly with athletes.