08 Mar 2020

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president, Phaphane Botlhale says there is need for the organisation to review its constitution.

Speaking at the BAA annual general assembly on March 7, Botlhale said a constitution was a document that was not static hence the need to review it.

He said the organisation was operating with a constitution, which was approved in January 2016 by the Registrar of Societies. The constitution, he said had been helpful in guiding the association’s affairs, adding that in their own assessment they had managed to identify some loop holes, which needed to be closed.

“The constitution does not have rules and regulations as well as the code of conduct, and therefore it makes solving of cases of indiscipline amongst their members difficult.”

“We do understand that World Athletics has its own regulations, which we can always refer to, but we should be having our own regulations, which we can always refer to as well,” he said.

On the issue of Technical Officials Education and Certification System (TOECS), Botlhale said its aim was to improve the level of officiating.

He said he was cognisant of the fact that, some members had paid for the course, which had not yet been conducted and pleaded with them to exercise patience as the course would be conducted.

He said they were currently working with their superiors to give them a resource person, and they would roll it out in May and June, respectively.

Botlhale also told the delegates that school sport was not active saying the association was burdened as they had to ensure that students became active.

He said it was also paramount for BAA to capacitate the clubs, so that student could continue participating in athletics.

Furthermore, he said kids athletics programme was one of the biggest grassroots development programme in the world of sport.

“We want to run it alongside the Re Ba Bona Ha. We currently have centres in Gumare, Shakawe and Maun, and we are planning to have activations in all other regions, so that our coordinators can have a feel of the programme,” he said.

BAA general manager, Pinkie Wilson said the strategic objectives of the organisation included, increasing the number of athletes qualifying for the world competitions.

Currently, she said only three atheletes; Nijel Amos, Christine Botlogetswe and Galefe Moroko had already qualified for  the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

She further said Anthony Pasela, Letsile Tebogo, Kealeboga Balemogi, Bernard Olesitse, Jason Mandoze and Boitshepo Kelapile. had qualified for the World Athletics U-20 Championships to be held in Nairobi, Kenya. ENDS