Badminton wars hit a new low
It is on this background that in a meeting convened by the NEC on 11 February 2024, in which you were present, a motion was tabled calling for your removal from office and unanimously voted for as per clause 15.4.3 of the association’s constitution.
You are hereby advised to return all assets of the association currently in your possession to the Vice President, Ms Kgalalelo Kegakilwe before 16 February 2024. We also advise that you desist from sending distasteful/ disrespectful messages to members of the executive as you have already done following yesterday’s meeting,” part of the letter reads.
The National Executive Committee ( NEC) of the Botswana Badminton Association convened a meeting on the 11th February 2024 during which the NEC unanimously opted to evoke clause 15.4.3 and removed Mr Bogatsu by way of a motion of no confidence.
“Whereas this may not be the most desirable outcome, the NEC would like to assure you that this was a necessary step in ensuring the effective management of the association’s affairs going forth. The NEC would also like to assure all stakeholders that it remains committed to delivering on all resolutions of the September 9 2023 AGM and subsequent February 3 2024 Members Consultative gathering.”
The association’s Vice President, Kgalalelo Kegakilwe has since been appointed to assume the role of Secretary General on an acting basis. Bogatsu would not go down without a fight and shared a long statement highlighting amongst others embezzlement of funds and ‘ power- hungry and egotistical Leadership’ as some of his reasons to step down on the 12 of this month, the same day he was removed from the NEC.
He shared that over the course of his tenure with the association, he witnessed and experienced numerous instances that have compelled him to make what he termed, “simple decision”. Some of his reasons for resigning, include mismanagement of funds by the president. “The President uses funds from the association’s account, roughly P2000 to travel to Gaborone for meetings every 3 to 4 weeks despite his role being voluntary; he should sacrifice as a president like the rest of us are doing and no other member has requested for funds. Furthermore, he has never produced receipts for these funds because he doesn’t use the money for the intended purpose,” part of his letter reads and further explains that, “activities such as competition and capacity building continue to suffer while funds are channeled towards the Presidents travel.” On ethical conduct, Bogatsu accuses the board of lacking morally upright Individuals.“The atmosphere within the association lacks the ethical standards and moral integrity expected in an organization of this nature. It is disheartening to witness actions that compromise the principles and values that should be the foundation of our association. The executive is currently ran by a dictatorship style kind of authority.” He gave example of a trip to Zimbabwe of the junior team in which he accuses the President of handpicking an unqualified team, which didn’t win any school championship despite the tournament requirements and the Technical Director’s intervention. “No teamwork or cohesion in association affairs as everything is a one man show; the President occupies all the positions, he is the secretary general this was evident as he was writing individuals close to him release letters during the Botswana International 2023 when the SG was very much active; he doubles up as the treasurer as well because he did the budget of the 2023 Botswana international and members of the executive were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.” Bogatsu continues: “I have discovered instances where the association has provided false information to federations, including the Badminton World Federation, Badminton Confederation Africa and Botswana National Sports Council. Such dishonest practices tarnish the reputation of our sport and undermine the trust placed in our association by national and international bodies.” The association moved swiftly to suspend Bogatsu from all activities related to Botswana Badminton Association, in less than 72 hours after his resignation letter was shared. “Mr Thobo Bogatsu has made a series of serious allegations against some members of the association’s National Executive Committee immediately following his removal from his role as Secretary General. These allegations were made in writing to the Badminton World Federation, Badminton Confederation Africa, Botswana National Sports Commission, Botswana National Olympic Committee, Affiliated Clubs and the media. “While it is a fundamental right accorded to all members to bring genuine concerns to light, it is worth noting that there is a prescribed manner stipulated in Section 22 of our constitution. This is intended to accord all relevant authorities the opportunity to investigate and make an independent determination based on the merits of each matter. This process also ensures that the name of the association is not subjected to deliberate and unnecessary harm. It is against this background that we wish to inform you of the decision to suspend Mr Bogatsu from all badminton activities while the association institutes disciplinary procedures against him. During his suspension, he is barred from making any communication/ representation as a member of any structure of the Botswana Badminton Association nor its affiliates.
Contacted for an update on the status of the association, Public Relations Officer Thobo Tshosa dismissed any reports of unrest within the association and said Bogatsu wanted to cause instability within the association. “All is well, we happened to have someone who is disgruntled. We will wait for the elective gathering in September and make new appointments, remember we are an interim committee, as of now all is well,” Tshosa told