BMS reconciliation day beckons
Sport
The troubled Botswana Motorsport Association’s (BMS) family is ready to forgive and forget instigators of misfortunes that have tormented the code for the past two years at a meeting set to move the association forward.
Activities on the ground however paint a picture of a gathering which is highly likely to turn into a boardroom brawl as affiliates are united in their mission to topple the current administration of Simon Modisaeman and pass on them a motion of no confidence. This, according to the affiliates, will help them to resurrect their ailing association which they believe has been left to suffer too long at the hands of the current Executive Committee, “which does not have the interest of the sport at heart”.
The association’s troubles backdate to 2015 when motorists started crying foul over a litany of issues especially riders’ safety and insurance. The leadership, despite all the complaints did not address the issues with urgency it deserved. This year the problems escalated as affiliates came out of their shells to demand transparency from their leaders, with other riders even threatening to affiliate in South Africa as poor administration reigned supreme locally, including failure to stage the annual general meeting (AGM).
Consequently, BMS Vice President, David Mashonja, became the only casualty as Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) slapped him with a 5 year suspension. According to the agenda of next weekend meeting, which has been seen by this publication, the leadership will have a long session answering tough questions from the members. Among the items set for discussion notably include, “the reasons for the postponement of the Annual General Meeting and reasons for the alleged failure to produce and or submit books of accounts.”
The agenda, drafted by three clubs, Lobelo Racing Club Francistown (LRCF), Gaborone Motor Club (GMC) and Okavango Motor Club (OMC), will further give affiliates an opportunity to grill the powers that be to give reasons for non-payment of outstanding accounts-Rescue One, FIM Africa and TDR Marshalls in Africa.
“These are service providers who offer emergency assist in cases of accidents especially Rescue One. On the other hand up to now the TDR Marshalls are yet to be paid after assisting at desert race so we want reasons as to what led to this,” one member said in an interview.
The highlight of the meeting however will be the vote on a mission of no confidence in the entire executive committee members and all office bearers at BMS and their removal from office. “Our mission is to pass a motion of no confidence because there is no way we should have this committee because it has failed us as motorsport. So we will elect an interim committee which will lead us pending the AGM.
People have raised their hands to take the position, but BNSC has been watching the events and they may appoint the interim committee,” said one member of the association. Modisaeman was not available for comment.
Sport
It’s do or die for Zebras
The senior national team, the Zebras, is currently in Equatorial Guinea to for an African Cup of Nations Qualifiers tie. Before they departed, the team’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, had his troops train in Morocco. This was through the agreement between the two countries.
The agreement between the BFA and the Fédération Moroccan Football Association states that the two nations will work together to organize friendly matches between their respective national teams. It also allows the establishment of football camps for the youth categories (U-15, U-17, and U-20), this includes women’s national teams.
The national team has played over 180 minutes in its two qualifying matches against Tunisia and Libya. Currently, the Zebras, Lesotho and Liberia are the only teams that haven’t scored yet in the competition (this is correct by press time on Friday).
Before the match against Equatorial Guinea match, the local boys who were once known as the whipping boys of Africa in the early 2000s, were languishing at the bottom of the log standings in group J. They lost their first match away to Libya on June 1, 2022. However, they managed to salvage a point against Tunisia last year.
Before the team left for Equatorial Guinea, coach Mpote urged his players to focus on keeping their hopes of making a return trip to the AFCON finals alive after an 11 year absence since the maiden appearance in 2012. He noted that they would not allow their opponents to score and would ensure that they would get a draw.
Despite the various changes that have occurred in the two countries’ football landscape, the two teams have only met once before. In 2010, the local boys defeated the Equatorial Guinea team in a friendly match, which ended in an emphatic win for the visitors. Since then, the two sides have realised different fortunes in FIFA rankings, with Equatorial Guinea ranked 51 places above the Zebras.
Meanwhile, in their last six games, Guinea has only managed to win one of them. They drew with Rwanda and Togo in September 2022 friendlies. They have found the back of the net just twice in their six games. On the other hand, the Zebras, won one match against Zambia and lost four on their way to finishing at the bottom of the group with four points. At the conclusion of their previous AFCON campaign, the local boys traveled to Zambia and secured a draw.
MPOTE CONFIDENT
Despite the recent results of the Guinean team, which have only managed to draw with Rwanda and Togo in their last six matches, coach Mpote is still confident that his team will perform well against the hosts.
According to the head coach, the local boys have the necessary skills and resources to perform well against any country. He noted that the team’s coaches have been studying abroad to gain a deeper understanding of the various aspects of football.
“Tactically they should also be ready. We need your (Botswana fans) usual support, when we come back from Equatorial Guinea, we will go to Francistown, and we will need you. You are our 12th player, and you are very important to us.”
OBED ITANI CHILUME STADIUM CERTIFIED
This week, the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Tuelo Serufho revealed that the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium will host the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the local boys and Equatorial Guinea. The venue had initially failed an inspection test conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, following the completion of the necessary works, the stadium was allowed to host the match.
According to BNSC Chief, Tuelo Serufho, the various requirements that the stadium must meet included having a designated parking area for the media and spectators, as well as having signage that will guide the spectators. He also noted that the venue now has a world-class media area.
Sport
Jagdish Shah rejects Rollers society
Township Rollers, one of the country’s most decorated football clubs with 15 premier league titles, is finding itself in a precarious situation as its long-term chief financier, Jagdish Shah, threatens to dump them if the society does not bow down to his demand of forfeiting their 20 percent interest in the company.
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Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.