30 Mar 2017

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) will hold its special general assembly tomorrow to fill vacant posts left by four members who recently vacated office.
In February the federation president, Moses Bantsi his vice, Roland Masalila, secretary, Legojane Kebaitse and public relations officer, Charles Keikotlhae resigned from their posts after some affiliate tabled a motion of no confidence on the secretary.
However, their motion failed after they failed to garner required numbers to outset Kebaitse, since according to BAA constitution, a motion can only pass if supported by two thirds majority, and on that day 13 clubs were present, four voted that Legojane should stay, and two were spoilt vote, thus failing to reach the 66.7 per cent for motion to pass.
Now affiliates will meet tomorrow as part of the BAA constitution, article 25.2.6 which stipulates that in the event that four elective positions simultaneously fall vacant, two of which shall be the president and vice president, the remaining member holding an elective position shall act as president.
The article further stipulates that  the acting member in that capacity shall call a special general meeting of the association within 21 days from the day the positions fell vacant, at which elections shall be held to fill up the vacancies.
Those aspiring to take charge at one of the successful code in field and track have since submitted their names to BAA office before the closing date.
For the presidency, Lefika Athletics official Thari Mooketsi is unopposed for the vice presidency, Orapa Athletics Club chairperson Kenneth Kikwe will also sail through as he is unopposed.
As for the secretary general position, Raymond Phale of Francistown Athletics clubs will battle it out with Kelebogile Mogapi of Serowe Athletics Club, whereas for the public relations officer position, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba of Mmadinare Athletics Club will fight for the position with Lulu Basinyi of Palapye Athletics Club.
However, the elections might be marred by controversy as some affiliates are of the view that the current constitution was not okayed by affiliates, but only the former executive members submitted it to the Registrar of Societies without their input.According to the old constitution Article 12.7 in the event that four positions fall vacant,the executive committe shall automatically dissolve and the remaining officers shall vacate the office immediately.
It further says The BAA secreatariat shall take over and call a special general meeting within 21 days from the day the executive committe dissolved at which the BAA secretariat would conduct elections and later hand over all necessary office documents to the new executive officer.
Athletics analyst, Billy Tambula said the constitution saga was dicey since the affiliates decried that they did not endorse the constitution before it was submitted to both IAAF and Registrar of Societies.
He said the appropriate thing to do was for the affiliates to discuss the matter before they could even go to the elections because if they continue before agreeing as to what to do might even perpetuate more trouble for the code. ENDS