29 Jul 2021

Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) has fired two employees and suspended three sporting codes.

BNSC chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho, confirmed in an interview on Wednesday that they had suspended Korfball Association Botswana, Billiards Association and Horse Society of Botswana.

He said the suspension also meant that the three codes would not be funded for the 2021/2022 financial year.

Serufho said Korfball Association Botswana was suspended because it was no longer serving the purpose for which it was established, something which was ‘ultra vires’ the BNSC Act.

He said the Botswana Billiards Association and Horse Society of Botswana were suspended for having leadership crises, making them ungovernable.

“Our intention is not just to suspend associations, but to assist them to function better in line with their own statutes, the BNSC Act and indeed other laws of Botswana,” he said.

He added that they were also assisting some codes to take corrective action.

Serufho said their drive was to ensure that there was real purpose and value derivation from sport pursuits; that sport bodies uphold the highest standards of governance and that athletes were placed at the centre of decisions made by all in sport, amongst other things.

 Regarding the two employees, he said they had been previously placed on suspension, but they had now separated with them on account of their deeds that were not consistent with the commission’s ethos and governance standards.

“While we may not be at liberty to divulge the exact details of what led to the separations, we can state that we are working around the clock to ensure that the commission does not emerge a loser from the activities that led to the separations,” he said.

Serufho said they would continue to be vigilant and ensure that the assets of the commission, which by extension were public assets, were protected and put to good use. ENDS