Africa-Press – Botswana. Last year, as the contest for the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) board elections reached fever pitch, the media became central to disseminating candidates’ roadmaps. But after their election, the board appears to have put a lid on information, argues Mmegi Sport Staffer, CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
The media shared the moments in the build-up, during and after the BNOC elections, with candidates always readily available for interviews.
But today, things have taken a nasty turn, as the board shuns the media. The BNOC is a body responsible for Botswana’s participation in international games such as the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Gamess. But now the Fourth Estate is left scrambling for access to the truth and any information that would enable the nation to know what is happening within the confines of the BNOC.
The appointment of a substantive chief executive officer (CEO) has been kept a secret. The position became vacant when former CEO, Tuelo Serufho joined the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC).
During his stay at the commission, Serufho’s door was always open to the media. He was always ready to respond to any enquiry diligently. BNOC’s president, Negros Malealea Kgosietsile also maintained an open door policy.
But the current board is keeping the media guessing, forcing scribes to rely on sources of which the information is never verified by the board. Could it be that the board has declared a cold war on the media?
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the upcoming international competitions has been appointed with BNOC’s first vice president, Michael Moroka, as the chairperson. However, the appointment was not made public.
Just recently, an announcement was made regarding the appointment of Team Botswana Chef de Mission to Paris 2024, Oreeditse Marakakgoro. But there is an uproar over the decision as the post was not advertised. The BNOC board has not been available to explain the criteria used to pick their preferred choice.
Moroka regarding his new role but he referred this publication to his president, Botsang Tshenyego.
“Talk to the marketing and communications office or the president,” he said.
Contacted for comment regarding the LOC, Tshenyego did not divulge much. Mmegi Sport sought to know more about the preparations of Team Botswana for 2022, the budget and the appointment of the Chef de Mission but did not get a response to enquiries.
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