Mosah Mokganedi
31 March 2008
Affiliates have called on the Paralympics Association of Botswana (PASSOBO) to resolve the issue of suspended vice president-Kelekganetse Motlane.
The PASSOBO official was suspended last year after various allegations including abuse of office and misuse of money.
Affiliates felt the matter is taking too long and they have not been updated on progress. They raised the concern at the PASSOBO Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday. PASSOBO spokesperson Thomas Motingwa told Monitor Sport that the Motlane issue is before the executive committee. He promised that it will be resolved as soon as possible.
The affiliates felt the issue has brought the name of the association into disrepute and should be resolved before people lose hope.
They complained that deaf people are not involved in PASSOBO hence they do not have a chance to take part in sport.
Motingwa said though the deaf are not classified under Paralympics, they would consider involving them in PASSOBO though they cannot compete. He said the deaf are currently working on forming an association that will help them to take part in sport. Motingwa complained that the association is not growing at the pace that they desire.
"We need a fully fledged office to take care of our needs," he said. He pointed out that they are a unique sport and that that needs a different approach. He said they want to put a request to the BNSC to come up with Special Olympics police that will deal specifically with them. Motingwa complained about the lack of political will about disabled people. He said as long as politicians are not interested in advocating the welfare of the disabled, they will always lag behind in everything.
Meanwhile, the second PASSOBO games will be held in July. The association intends to send about 25 athletes to the Paralympic Games this year. The visually impaired will go into camp soon to prepare for the Zone VI games in Potchefstrome, South Africa.
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