29 Feb 2016

Botswana Sports Volunteer Movement (SVM), national executive committee vice chairperson, Harry Kwata has commended volunteers who took part in the 2015 Botswana Games.

Speaking at the movement’s regional annual general meeting on February 27, Kwata said the Francistown region is one of the regions that do well and assured the 2015 Botswana Games volunteers that they will be awarded certificates.

He, however, noted that during the games, the 543 volunteers who were oriented were not engaged because non-members were already accredited claiming to be members.

Kwata said the games were an eye opener to the movement and assured the volunteers that in future such loopholes will be dealt with accordingly. He said Francistown is becoming hive of sporting activities and volunteers should intensify their efforts of recruiting more members.

Kwata further said one of the objectives of the years 2016-2017 is to grow the movement by recruiting more new members. He further urged them to familiarise themselves with the SVM policy and the code of conduct in order to better understand the mandate of the movement.

The outgoing regional chairperson, Obvious Moyo apologised to the membership for the committee’s lack of addressing regular meetings since its elections in 2013. He however indicated that the movement has been active as it participated in the Be Mobile Marathon, Cricket tournament, BISA games, Botswana Games and the 2014 Africa Youth games.

Moyo indicated that the biggest challenge for the region was the 2015 Botswana Games because it was the first ever largest event it coordinated. He said 935 volunteers were mobilised but only 504 participated with merit during the games.

He commended the volunteers who were committed and loyal despite the challenges. Moyo, said some volunteers were not committed as expected but watched the games and some were undisciplined as they drunk and even smoked in non-smoking areas.

Moyo, nonetheless attributed some of the actions to lack of proper induction for the volunteers and noted that in future the mistakes will be taken care of. He said one of the embarrassing actions by the volunteers was when some of them were apprehended by the police for stealing.

He encouraged the members to continue working for the betterment of sports in the country without expecting any payment but for their skills development and prestige. The same AGM retained Tapson Patane as the chairperson for the region and Moses Poloko was elected the vice chairperson.

Boitumelo Boitshepo was elected the secretary while Goitsemodimo Lekuni and Nchidzi Majae were elected treasurer and public relations officer respectively.

The two additional members are Herbet Nkabiti and Thabo Giddie. Ends