23 Sep 2015

Botswana Tertiary Students Sports Association (BOTESSA) president, Moffat Ramasotla has implored the association’s affiliates and members to rise to the occasion and be committed to the ideals and vision of the association.

Addressing the affiliates at the association’s annual general meeting in Lobatse , Ramasotla said quite often than not, officials have to be followed up to deliver on their mandate.

“We are always busy at our work places and never have time for what we volunteered to do,” he charged. Ramasotla condemned the tendencies of people only becoming busy and active when there were tours to venture into, or only when they wanted to express their displeasure at other members.

He told the gathering that the association has been marred with cases of misconduct and conflict of interest with specific reference to organised games for Private Tertiary Institutions Association (PTIA).

He said he would not be happy and condemned the idea of some institutions organising independent games without the leadership of BOTESSA being involved.

He encourage affiliates to be honest to each other, avoid hostility, work together to make BOTESSA a viable product that they would all be proud of. In order to succeed as an organisation, Ramasotla said all affiliates needed to pull together in one direction for the success of the association.

The association’s president also took time to congratulate athletes who competed at the Federation of International University Sports (FISU) games that were held in Korea where the 400 m competitor Katlego 'Lux' Maotoanong got a silver medal.

Ramasotla also encouraged members to make it a habit to account for each and every action they take with more attention to taking responsibility and meeting the standards that the association has set.

Presenting the association's strategic plan, BOTESSA secretary general, Botshelo Taolo said the association intends to improve athletes performance and increased participation at both the Federation of African Universities Sports games.

Taolo said the association aims to attain at least five gold medals in these international platforms by 2028. She said the organisation also intends to have an improved strategic partnership by identifying opportunities for new partnerships and models as well as increasing stakeholder participation in sports activities.

She said the association also anticipates increasing sports professionals by sourcing funding for athletes, coaches, administrators training and identifying potential volunteers in affiliated institutions currently not participating in BOTESSA.

The meeting also found time to amend the association’s constitution where affiliates agreed that there was need to restructure the brackets for better preparation and game fixtures

They also discussed the auditors and financial statements in respect of the preceding financial year and considered development and activity plans for the ensuing year. ENDS