BNOC, BNSC tying the knot?

Lerole le beta kolobe out there and we challenge both the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to come out now and calm the troubled waves.

The imminent merging of the BNOC and BNSC has set many tongues wagging and only the two organizations have the power to set the record straight and explain what it is, they intend doing.

Kana many were left shell-shocked when BNOC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tuelo Serufho was announced to be readying to take over as acting BNSC CEO. He will be temporarily taking over from Falcon Sedimo who is expected to vacate office this month end.

This one caught us off guard and we are still trying to understand why a CEO of another organization would act for a CEO position of another parallel organization.

Exactly what is happening in this case we wonder? Will Serufho be getting double pay from the BNSC and BNOC? Also, the two sports organizations have totally different mandates and responsibilities; now with the current setup, does it mean Serufho will be taking decisions for both the BNSC and the BNOC for the next six months?

How is the man to separate the two, will he not find himself conflicted? We all know of the wars between BNOC and BNSC in the past hence the curiosity of how all will work out. They bitterly fought over athletes and their respective roles. The latest bloody battle being the Olympic preparation funding from government, it was a nasty war with both organizations claiming right to the monies, which were allegedly handed to BNSC.

We are aware that there is talk for merging the two and probably it was a deliberate action to put an end to all the fighting but perhaps it has to come out clearer now to prevent confusion.

Also, we want to understand whether the government of Botswana is willing to give up power by allowing the IOC to run the show. We say this because Botswana cannot afford to lose IOC, they are the biggest piece to the puzzle and it would be irresponsible for the country to irk them.

IOC is an independent body that does not take lightly to government interference in their centuries old movement. This can only mean we are set to see the government taking a back bench and if that is the case, local sport development might crumble. We are eagerly waiting for answers from the accounting office.

It has been reported by local publications that the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Tumiso Rakgare has vowed that he will not rest until the merger happens. He is quoted saying he would have failed dismally if he leaves the ministry without realizing the merger of the two. This can only mean that a decision has been reached already yet there are those who believe that, should that be the case, the sports ministry would have blundered a great deal.