15 Sep 2014

Thato Patlakwe is the new Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) president.

Members, on September 13, voted out their long standing president, Michael Moroka (six votes) to usher in Patlakwe who garnered 19 votes at the association’s annual general meeting.

The new BoBA broom, Patlakwe expressed gratitude to the members for the confidence and trust they bestowed upon him.

He highlighted the importance of the new executive to reiterate its commitment to the comprehensive development of boxing. Thus, he called on members to be clear with their role in order to create an enabling environment for boxing to thrive by utilising the available infrastructure and resources.

He committed his committee to providing leadership that would ensure that appropriately capacitated structures were in place and matters relating to corporate governance were strictly adhered to.

He also urged members to collectively address matters of development as well as going back to basics to get things moving and working efficiently.

Boxing, he said featured prominently as one of the priority codes, adding that therefore placed enormous responsibility on all to ensure that they contributed in developing athletes capable of competing on the international stage.

Patlakwe thanked Moroka for his service, generosity and dedication to BoBA and requested for smooth handing over of the presidency office throughout the transition period.

Moroka has been at the helm of BoBA for two consecutive terms which each lasted four years while Patlakwe, a medical doctor by profession has always played a role as a ring doctor at the association’s competitions.

The association compressed the two vice president positions; technical and administration into one portfolio and the two Vice Presidents, Gilbert Khunwane (technical) and Tabona Phaladze (administration) squared up for the post.

Phaladze garnered 13 votes against Khunwane’s six to assume the office of the association’s vice presidency. The former long standing publicity and information secretary, Willough Kemoen stood for the secretary general position, but got only a vote while Irene Ntelamo (10 votes) was voted to the position.

Dirang Thipe who also contested for the post and to defend his position got only eight votes. Ntelamo, a teacher by profession, emerged as the only woman in the BoBA executive committee.

The competitions coordinator portfolio was also contested for by three candidates; Phetogo Tsheko, Johannes Ditlhabang and Mathata Thingwane.

On the post, affiliates ushered in a new competitions coordinator; Tsheko who garnered 10 votes against Thingawne’s five and Ditlhabang’s four.

Kenny Maragana got 14 votes to become the association’s new publicity and information secretary after beating Mmaotho Segotso who got only five.

Additional member and treasurer portfolios stood unopposed as the incumbent additional members Gibson Rauwe and treasurer, Chigushi Frank retained their positions in the association’s executive committee. Ends