10 Oct 2025

The stage is for a tight race for the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) leadership for the 2025- 2029 board term. This follows BNOC’s announcement of the full slate of candidates who will contest the upcoming Quadrennial General Assembly elections scheduled for October 25. The competition would be particularly fierce for the presidency, which had drawn t h r e e contenders including the current BNOC senior vice-president, Tshepo Sitale who would face off against Ookeditse Malesu and current board member, Yarona Sharp. The race for the senior vicepresident position has pitted current first vice-president, Michael Moroka against the Botswana Wrestling Federation (BWF) president, Moagi Sharp. The first vice-president position would see a threeway battle between Botswana Tennis Association (BAA) president, Oaitse Thipe, former Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) president, Bob Lekang as well as and current board member, Tebo Segaise. For second vicepresident, Botswana Cycling Association (BCA) representative, Game Mompe would vie with current board member, Unaswi Matebu. In an interview, the incumbent president, Botsang Tshenyego, said he would not be seeking a third term citing a desire to promote good governance. “I have no pressure from any quarters or the BNOC constitution because it is silent but at the IOC is three terms, so for me it was just a principle just to observe the norm of two terms,” Tshenyego said. Tshenyego f i r s t ascended to the BNOC presidency in 2017, having previously served as senior vice president since July 2009. He noted that he was not leaving the sport space entirely, given that he remained engaged at international level. On one hand, five candidates, Boikobo Gaolebalwe, Kebalebile Ramontsho, Ndibo Lebala, Ofentse Bakwadi and Taolo Tlouetsile, would compete for the three available slots as additional members. Meanwhile, a press release from the BNOC confirmed that the N o m i n a t i o n s , E l e c t i o n s Committee (NEC) chairperson and the BNOC Chief Executive Officer have complied with the constitutional requirements for the election. Article 12 (7) of the BNOC Constitution mandates that valid nominations must be confirmed in writing to all full members at least 15 days prior to the General Assembly, a provision that the release says has been duly met. The release further says the BNOC remains committed to upholding transparency, fairness and integrity in the electoral process as it prepares for the upcoming Quadrennial General Assembly and appreciates the continued support and cooperation of all members and stakeholders. ENDS