22 Oct 2023

Keenese Katisenge-Tizhani has been handed the baton to lead Women and Sports Botswana (WASBO) after serving in the previous committee as secretary general.

She takes over from Matlho Kgosi whose four-year term came to an end.

Katisenge-Tizhani said the appointment gave her the opportunity to lead an esteemed organisation that had made strides in promoting gender equality and empowerment in sport.

She promised that the new committee would continue to break barriers and create opportunities for women in sport. “Let us join hands and work tirelessly to empower, inspire and uplift women in the sporting world,” she said.

She added that WASBO was committed to unlocking the full potential of sporting talents and propelling them to international success.

She said in collaboration with international partners such as The Association For International Sport For All (TAFISA) and Nike, they would in the future launch an initiative aimed at empowering coaches and athletes with the necessary skills and resources to excel on a global scale.

She further applauded Kgosi for her leadership, mentorship, unwavering dedication and support, adding that under her guidance, WASBO thrived and that she would build on the foundation laid down by previous chairpersons.

Katisenge-Tizhani said one of her top priorities would be to secure sponsorship for the WASBO special award.

“By securing sponsorship, we can further elevate the visibility and significance of this award and inspire generations to come,” she said.

She also said WASBO was looking forward to working closely with Botswana National Sport Commission and the Botswana National Olympic Commission gender commission and upholding other existing partnerships.

In her speech, Kgosi said one of their first initiatives was to develop a sexual harassment policy and strategy.

She noted that they held a Women’s Sports Pitso in 2020, which reviewed the implementation of the gender mainstreaming strategy.

On the field of play, Matlho said ‘much has been accomplished and that much more still needs to be done’.

She advised the inew committee to focus on internal structures and to strengthen them. “Our regions and women’s commissions will need to be more active and deliver the women’s mandate,” she said.

Other newly elected WASBO committee members are deputy chairperson, Dr Nozie Malunga-Payet and Thulaganyo Retshabile as publicity and marketing officer.

They were unopposed while Olebogeng Oitebetse was elected secretary general. The Special Volunteer Movement is represented by Gloria Gaosikelwe.

The position of treasurer was not filled as there were no nominees. ENDS