01 Dec 2016

Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), chief executive officer Solly Reikeletseng has implored National Sports Associations (NSA) to up their game and desist from bringing sport into disrepute.

Speaking at BNSC annual general assembly on Tuesday, he said there was a growing tendency of unrest within the administration since January, adding that his organisation had intervened and dealt with 11 disputes from different associations.

He said some of the disputes had reached alarming proportions and they had drawn public attention, adding that the disputes more often arise from lack of role clarity, poor internal communication and failure to follow basic governance principles.

Reikeletseng said most disputes were also fuelled by failure to account on time for funds disbursed to them, even for decisions they make as leaders, as well as stakeholders’ management issues.

“I implore you to up your game and demonstrate that the stakes are now high as members of the Commission.

I wish to remind you that the Commission has powers to revoke your membership of the Commission when you fail to manage your affairs to the extent that you bring sport into disrepute,” he said.

Reikeletseng further urged the associations to file their annual returns with the registrar of societies every year, to follow their governance statutes and most importantly to review their constitutions with a view to align with the BNSC Act.

Regarding the registration of NSAs, he said Botswana Pool Table Association is a new member of the Commission, adding that the organisation was a member of the BNSC several years ago and was delisted due to non-activity.

He told delegates that Botswana Pool Table Association has since organised themselves and was now led by Terence Tiroyamodimo.

The CEO further said since the establishment of the Commission, they have received several requests from various entities for registration as members of the Commission.

He said they previously had guidelines for registration of affiliates, adding they were currently reviewing it in order to align it with the Act.

“It should be noted that there are so many dynamics involved with the process of registration of NSAs due to the nature of the various organisations.

Some exist as companies, societies, some as trusts, pressure groups, others being derivatives of already existing organisations and so forth,” he said.

BNSC, he said was treading with care not to accept all applications without scrutinising them fully, because at the least they should fall within the broader groups of amateur sport, professional sport, and recreational sport / indigenous games. ENDS