Boxing body at war with itself

The Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) president Dr Thato Patlakwe has cautioned affiliates to desist from posting negative comments about the association on   social media.  

This followed recent strongly-worded comments and harsh criticism posted on facebook by some BoBA affiliate members calling for the association’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) to address pertinent issues concerning the local boxing authority. Some of these issues included the overdue date of the OGM; preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games and overdue prize monies for winners of the Debswana BoBA Awards.

In addition, BoBA was also dogged by numerous suspensions that included competition manager Phetogo Tsheko and Additional Member Gibson Rauwe. “Ladies and gentlemen, as an organisation we have procedures when making announcements regarding BoBA activities. I would like to caution those who publicise things on social media to seek clarity and facts from the office, whose doors are widely open to everyone,” Dr Patlakwe said when addressing the affiliates.

Patlakwe added that procedure and protocol must be followed. He said that they communicate to BoBA   member club chairpersons and it is the responsibility of the clubs to communicate to their members.

“As you know, BoBA has no official social media page and as an association we are working hard to protect our name.” Patlakwe urged affiliates to follow protocol and contact his office instead of ranting on facebook.  

Speaking at the same meeting, BoBA Secretary General, Irene Ntelamo, said social media is a reality whether it is good or bad, and that it should rather be used responsibly.

“There is a page on boxing that is not official; some found it fit to open it and it is not illegal. The problem is when members use it to fight amongst themselves within the association, and that is not good,” she added.

Meanwhile, Patlakwe announced that the suspensions of   two executive committee members have been uplifted after they accounted for their unspecified offences.

However, Patlakwe said they have now suspended their scoring system official Victor Mhlanga for failing to obey lawful instructions given by the association regarding a partnership work assignment with South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO).