Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president, Moses Bantsi, has called for unity ahead of the code’s all important general assembly scheduled for Gantsi on February 19.
The elections are expected to be a make or break affair for the association hence Bantsi’s call for the delegates to be united.
While Bantsi is expected to continue leading the association until 2015, as he is unopposed, other positions are expected to be hotly contested.
The main attraction will be that of the publicity officer where incumbent Glody Dube will test his strength against Ipolokeng Ramatshaba.
Sources within the association have indicated that Ramatshaba, who has successfully served in the position before, stands a better chance to regain the position from Dube.
“It’s not wrong to compete for positions but I believe that we must respect each other. Those who lose must know that their services are still needed in athletics. I have even made the current committee members aware that they don’t own positions. We must remain friends after the elections,” stated Bantsi.
The athletics boss further pointed out that it is important that the code remains united if they want to see the sport improving.
He further chided affiliates for not using proper channels to voice their grievances.
In the past, some of the association’s affiliates have complained that some things are not done properly. Bantsi admitted that affiliates have a right to voice their opinions but was worried that, at times, it is the presentation which is not done right.
“As the committee, we’re bound to make mistakes but we should work together (as affiliates) to rectify those mistakes. Let me make it clear that I’m not allergic to criticism as long as people follow the right channels,” he added.
Bantsi further pointed out that for him to go to the elections unopposed shows that the affiliates have confidence in his leadership.
“It can mean a lot of things; it can be that they (affiliates) believe that I’m handling the affairs of the association well. I believe that we have achieved a lot during our tenure but I still believe that there is room for improvement,” he said.
The issue of youth development is something which Bantsi feels they still have to work on more. But he is happy with the progress they have made, giving an example of Kabelo Kgosiemang who has been developed from an early age.
Though there have been few women who have excelled in athletics over the years, with Commonwealth gold medalist Amantle Montsho being an exception, Bantsi said his association is doing its best to encourage more women to take sports seriously. He told Sunday Standard that they hope that after the exploits of Montsho at the Commonwealth Games women athletes would get motivated.
“Right now, we have sent Kgalalelo Sefu to join Amantle in Senegal. It is our hope that with the kind of training there, Kgalalelo will perform better and excel at higher level. The intention is to see our women competing at the higher level like the Olympics,” he continued.
Bantsi pointed out that there is talent within women ranks, especially from young age but the problem is how they attain that talent, especially at senior level.
Bantsi, who sits in the committee of Southern Africa Region Council, said he has come to appreciate the importance of international relations. He said that if you do not have good contacts at international level, you are bound to struggle.
“Our relationship with IAAF (International Amateur Athletics Federation) has been marvellous and this has seen us benefiting a lot. We’ve managed to secure good training for our athletes through this kind of relationship even when the odds were against us,” he pointed out.
