NNOC, Botes go head to head

NAMIBIAN sport consultant, Quinton-Steele Botes faces a possible suspension or expulsion as an executive member of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, as he stands accused of disobeying instructions at the recent Olympic Games held in Athens.

The NNOC accuses Botes of talking to the media at the Olympic Games, while he was solely assigned to the Games as a technical adviser, not as a spokesperson. Botes was initially reprimanded by the NNOC before the Games started for negative remarks in the media on the number of the touring officials, arguing that the money could have been used on developing the sport in the country.Before the Olympic Games started in early August, NNOC president Agnes Tjongarero announced that Botes was barred from making any media statements or comments before, during and after the Games.NNOC secretary general Daan Nel told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the fate of Botes will be discussed by the full NNOC board at a meeting scheduled for next week Wednesday.They (board) will decide if he will be expelled or suspended from the NNOC, he said.He said they were disturbed by the regular reports that Botes gave through to Radio Cosmos and Channel 7 while he was at the Olympics.’ Botes did not follow instructions and we need him to tell the board why he did not stick to the initial plan laid out for him before the Games, he said.Botes’ responsibilities in Athens entailed organizing transport for athletes to venues, checking on doping and the participants nutritional issues, while he also ensured that athletes were provided with training facilities and other equipment.Nel said although Botes did his job well, he made a mistake by communicating with the media back in Namibia on the radio, which, according to him, was not part of the agreement they had before they left for the Games.NNOC president Agnes Tjongarero said she could not tell if Botes would be axed from the body.The board will look at all the issues before taking the decision and that will come only next week, she said.Botes yesterday responded that he had no problem with the decision the NNOC would take, but will appeal against it.As far as I am concerned, I have done nothing wrong.In this country we are entitled to freedom of speech and expression and I did not do that to tarnish anybody’s name, he said.He admitted that he spoke to the radio, but did in no way put the name of the NNOC in a bad light or make derogatory statements about anyone.I just gave through information such as results, what is happening on the doping front and the history of the Olympic Games.At this stage, no one has informed me on paper what I have done wrong and I think it is unfair, he said.He said he was contributing to the Olympic spirit by giving information that he thought did no harm to anybody or controversial.The NNOC rejected me from the onset and they have so far played a dirty game which they will dearly pay for, warned Botes.Botes also confirmed that he was not given national colours when the team departed for Athens, nor was he allowed to be part of the entire team during their march into the Olympic Stadium at the official opening, while his meal allowances were also not paid for.Despite all these things, I went there and did my job of helping the athletes.I am happy for that and I am looking forward to the outcome of the meeting by the board next week, he said.Botes, who is an independent sports consultant, is also an executive member of the National Sport Council (NSC).Botes mostly conducts coaching clinics for athletes and coaches across the country, and is also hired by some corporate companies to carry out sporting activities.Botes was initially reprimanded by the NNOC before the Games started for negative remarks in the media on the number of the touring officials, arguing that the money could have been used on developing the sport in the country.Before the Olympic Games started in early August, NNOC president Agnes Tjongarero announced that Botes was barred from making any media statements or comments before, during and after the Games.NNOC secretary general Daan Nel told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the fate of Botes will be discussed by the full NNOC board at a meeting scheduled for next week Wednesday.They (board) will decide if he will be expelled or suspended from the NNOC, he said.He said they were disturbed by the regular reports that Botes gave through to Radio Cosmos and Channel 7 while he was at the Olympics.’ Botes did not follow instructions and we need him to tell the board why he did not stick to the initial plan laid out for him before the Games, he said.Botes’ responsibilities in Athens entailed organizing transport for athletes to venues, checking on doping and the participants nutritional issues, while he also ensured that athletes were provided with training facilities and other equipment.Nel said although Botes did his job well, he made a mistake by communicating with the media back in Namibia on the radio, which, according to him, was not part of the agreement they had before they left for the Games.NNOC president Agnes Tjongarero said she could not tell if Botes would be axed from the body.The board will look at all the issues before taking the decision and that will come only next week, she said.Botes yesterday responded that he had no problem with the decision the NNOC would take, but will appeal against it.As far as I am concerned, I have done nothing wrong.In this country we are entitled to freedom of speech and expression and I did not do that to tarnish anybody’s name, he said.He admitted that he spoke to the radio, but did in no way put the name of the NNOC in a bad light or make derogatory statements about anyone.I just gave through information such as results, what is happening on the doping front and the history of the Olympic Games.At this stage, no one has informed me on paper what I have done wrong and I think it is unfair, he said.He said he was contributing to the Olympic spirit by giving information that he thought did no harm to anybody or controversial.The NNOC rejected me from the onset and they have so far played a dirty game which they will dearly pay for, warned Botes.Botes also confirmed that he was not given national colours when the team departed for Athens, nor was he allowed to be part of the entire team during their march into the Olympic Stadium at the official opening, while his meal allowances were also not paid for.Despite all these things, I went there and did my job of helping the athletes.I am happy for that and I am looking forward to the outcome of the meeting by the board next week, he said.Botes, who is an independent sports consultant, is also an executive member of the National Sport Council (NSC).Botes mostly conducts coaching clinics for athletes and coaches across the country, and is also hired by some corporate companies to carry out sporting activities.