Mosah Mokganedi
24 November 2008
Officials of two top sports bodies that have been at loggerheads will meet today to iron out their differences. The meeting is expected to resolve the war for supremacy between the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC).
BNSC chairperson, Dr Daniel Tau said last week that they will meet to "resuscitate their relationship". Tau told the BNSC Ordinary General Meeting that it is imperative for stakeholders to work together for the development of sport. He explained that he had met with BNOC president, Negroes Kgosietsile on the matter.
The BNSC and BNOC have been feuding over which one of them is supreme. BNOC wants direct funding from the government and takes a dim view of the fact that its money has to come from BNSC. At one time, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Gladys Kokorwe had to mediate in the dispute.
It is clear these days that the officials of the two bodies have smoked the peace pipe because they have been cooperating well with each other. Recently, the BNSC executive secretary Kitso Kemoeng made a presentation at the BNOC meeting on the council's contribution to the London 2012 Olympics Games.
The new BNSC committee has made it a priority to work closely with other stakeholders in the interest of sports. Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) vice president Ookeditse Malesu applauded BNSC saying they have taken the right step by engaging with BNOC. Botswana Softball Association (BSA) president Marumo Morule also hailed the new cooperation between the two bodies. He said they have always wished for a good working relationship between BNSC and BNOC. He said since the two bodies deal with the same affiliates, it is important that they plan together.
Morule hoped that the new relationship will make things easier for affiliates. He said in reality there was no problem between the two bodies. He said in most cases, BNOC and BNSC acted within their mandates and the only thing that was lacking was consultation. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president Moses Bantsi welcomed the decision of the two bodies to smoke the peace pipe saying it is long overdue. Bantsi said it was clear that the quarrel between BNOC and the BNSC was dividing affiliates.
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