I still want to play for my country – Gabonamong
Source: Mmegi | Author: Boitumelo Khutsafalo
A candidate for Botswana Football Association (BFA) vice-president (administration), Segolame Ramotlhwa has said he will accept any decision by the general assembly on his eligibility to contest the post.
Ramotlhwa’s candidature is in doubt because he has failed to get support from at least four regions as required by the BFA constitution.
He will know his fate tomorrow when the BFA structures meet at Boipuso Hall. The BFA constitution says that a candidate for positions in the National Executive Committee (NEC) shall be proposed by one member of the association supported by four additional members.
Acting BFA chief executive officer, Susan Monametsi, said by members, the constitution is referring to the regions.If the general assembly does not allow Ramotlhwa to contest, the race will be between former cabinet minister, Boyce Sebetela and ex-Premier League Committee (PLC) chairman, Booker Bannister.
Ramotlhwa told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the position he is seeking is entirely voluntary and therefore he will accept any decision taken by the general assembly.
He said the decision by the BFA to stop clubs from nominating and supporting candidates is targeted at certain people he did not name. He said that it is unfair to allow only the regions to nominate and support candidates, as some people would have to travel a distance of over 1,000 kilometres to reach a region.
He said the constitution is silent on who really is a member. He added that it is unfair not to allow clubs to nominate and support candidates since they are legitimate members of the association. He said there must be something wrong with the system if out of about 12 people who had shown interest in the position, nine of them failed to meet the requirements and therefore are disqualified. The position of the vice president (administration) fell vacant after Ramotlhwa resigned citing factional conflicts at the association. BFA then appointed Vincent Seretse who also resigned after being nominated to Parliament. Olsen Mantle is currently holding the position in an acting capacity.
The vice president (administration) is not the only position being contested at the BFA. There will be elections for the vice-president (marketing and research), which will be contested for by Elijah Katse, Mmolotsi Tatedi and Ngele Ngele.
The general assembly will determine whether to allow other candidates for the additional members’ position to contest or not. There are seven candidates vying for the two additional members’ slots. They are Charles Chilisa, Sexton Kowa, Gaolatlhe Kelesitse, Puma Matlhware, Tshepo Mphoeng, Horatio Mahloane and Nolly Molwantwa.