Malesu enters BNOC election race
The outgoing Botswana Football Association (BFA) Ookeditse Malesu believes he stands a good chance of winning the top seat during the upcoming Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) elections.
Malesu resigned from the BFA after serving as the Chief Executive Officer for about six months. He also served as Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president and at one point volunteered his services to the Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) as vice president. In an exclusive interview the multifaceted sport administrator Malesu rubbished recent talk that he is not fit to lead the BNOC. “I do not work to please anyone, People must know that you do not have to love someone in order to work together,” said the straight shooting Malesu.
The former military man said during his tenure as president of BOKA he won a bid to host the continental competition with just six months in office. The supremely confident Malesu is not shy to boast of his experiences and achievements in sports leadership. “I am the only candidate who served three different codes as president, vice president and secretary general.” Some four years ago Malesu lost the BNOC presidency when he ran as an underdog against the incumbent Negroes Kgosietsile. “I moved on with life but affiliates then asked me to stand for senior vice president, 2 days later another group of codes proposed that I stand for the top position.”
Quizzed on the status of his relationship with the three codes he worked with Malesu said, “Football nominated me, Karate seconded and swimming also played its role. The reverse part of the equation applied to all the three code since there were six forms to be filled”. Malesu believes that manifesto do not win elections though he was quick to admit he will soon reveal his campaign message.
When I was BOKA president about 14 years ago I competed in a bid to host a continental tournament. The former BNSC board member alleged that after the competition he was co-opted to serve Confederation African Karate as 3rd Vice president. Malesu said he does not believe in lobby lists because they sometimes force the group to fail on their mandate as they cover up for their unproductive members. Malesu is expected to run against Botsang Tshenyego, France Mabiletsa, Tebogo Lebotse Sebego and Daniel Molaodi