The Race is On
New BNOC president will be elected this September
Negroes Kgosietsile not standing
Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) could end the year with a new president at its helm.
The four terms granted to long time president Negros Kgosietsile is expected to conclude in September this year. After winning another term at the last BNOC AGM, Kgosietsile announced that he was serving his last term as president. Thus far several sports administrators who fancy their chances of taking over the BNOC are reportedly lobbying for the plum position.
Kgosietsile, who convincingly defeated Ookeditse Malesu in the last elections, was previously given a mandate to lead the association tasked with assisting codes, to promote the spirit of Olympism and Commonwealth ideals.” This week BG Sport interviews revealed that there are several sports administrators who will be contesting for the plum post. Among them is the incumbent BNOC senior vice president Botsang Tshenyego who many see as a favourite to take over from Kgosietsile.
This week, impeccable sources named incumbent Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) president Daniel Molaodi and Mmetla Masire from Botswana Cycling Association (BCA) as two people likely to run for the BNOC presidency. Highly placed sources within the local sports industry said the next president should address issues of governance, tribalism, transparency and accountability at the local Olympic committee.
This week, highly respected sports administrator Daniel Molaodi confirmed that indeed some affiliates had approached him to contest for the top position at the local Olympic movement. Molaodi is the Vice President at Zone 6 and sits at CAVB development commission. Molaodi also represents local sport affiliates at BNSC. “There are those who think I can contest, I am still weighing options. We have not discussed anything in detail; they believe my governance as BVF president is among factors.”
For his part, Botswana Cycling Association administrator Mmetla Masire said no one has approached him for the top position yet. “I can confirm that I have not been approached by anybody. If they are planning to nominate me, they must be on their way to see me,” Masire said.
Meanwhile former national team athlete France Mabiletsa has however confirmed his interest in succeeding Kgosietsile. “Yes, a number of affiliates asked if I am available this time around and I said yes I am available and I believe I am capable to lead,” said the 1994 Commonwealth bronze medallist. The former boxer said he withdrew his candidacy at the 2004 assembly because he wanted to honour the outgoing president. “The current president announced at the last elections that he was standing for the last time, I believe with him not running the ground becomes even for all candidates,” Mabiletsa explained.
The chairman of Tsholofelo boxing club said management of elite athletes is currently a challenge at BNOC. ”They need a creative mind, we don’t always need money to do things,” said former Olympian.BNOC in partnership with government previously hosted the 2014 Africa Youth Games in Gaborone. BNOC committee is elected by sport codes unlike the BNSC where affiliates vote for all positions except for the chairman who is decided by the minister of youth empowerment, sport and culture development.
