08 Nov 2017

Tough competition is expected as the Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) holds presidency elections in Palapye on November 11.

Three candidates vying for the presidential post are the incumbent Joshua Gaotlhobogwe, Montlenyane Radihepi and Eagile Molelo, who is vice president, marketing for Confederation of Schools Sports Association of Southern Africa.

The three had a role in the growth of BISA, and delegates would be spoilt for choice in deciding which candidate they want to elect to take the association to greater heights.

Gaotlhobogwe, who will be seeking another term in office, said in an interview that he was the right candidate for the position given that he managed to successfully draw a strategic plan that guided their mandate for the last four years.

He said his aim was to continue where he left during his term in office, adding that when given another chance he would ensure that all stakeholders, amongst them school heads and senior sports teachers, participated in sports.

He further said if given another chance, he would finish some activities that were behind schedule and touch on issues of sports development, security for students during competitions and increase the numbers of sponsors.

“The ministry supported fully BISA activities as they were happy with our accountability for funds. Accountability is paramount to the running of the association through audits which benefited all of us as the association,’’ he said.

For his part, Molelo said their manifesto was formed by innovation, accountability, transparency and consultation which would make them achieve their goals as an organisation.

He said if voted they would set up different committees that would look into finances, communications, appeal in order to increase efficiency and continuity amongst others.

Furthermore, he said their main aim was to introduce reforms that would address a broad range of BISA activities.

He further said they would take into consideration centres of excellence that BISA was not much involved in by coming up with initiatives and engaging relevant stakeholders to make developments in those centres.

Radihepi, who is the current BISA vice president, said if given the mandate to lead the association their key focus would be development and implementation of policies to ensure the smooth running of BISA.

The polices, he said, would be the guidelines to run activities in alignment with the BISA mandate.

He said his aim was to empower women and girls, increase tertiary schools participation in BISA and improve stakeholder participation in sports.

Among his focus area, he said increasing the number of sponsors and setting up an advisory board to play a role in issues of ethics.

For the vice president position, contesting are Joy Kenosi, Kakanyo Emang, Basiami Molathiwa and Thuso Modungo.

Six candidates will battle it out for the secretary general position. They are Harold Mosomane, Christopher Chikwakwa, Alfred Rantlheng, Gomolemo Rankosha, Lesego Muzila and Boniface Lekaba.

Boago Obonetse, Oreeditse Marakakgoro and Maxwell Muzila will battle it out for the vice secretary position.

For the treasurer position will be Daniel Tshune and Tapiwa Mokoka-Kengaletswe while for the publicity secretary position, the incumbent Letsweletse Jonas is facing stiff competition from Mmoloki Gaobone and Neo Diboko.

Meanwhile, Botswana National Olympic Committee president, Botsang Tshenyego is expected to officially open the general assembly, which will be attended by 242 delegates.

Some of the issues to be discussed include the strategic plan, financial report, review of the 2017 events and 2018 activities. ENDS