The BCA is proud to announce the executive and council member’s election results for the 2021- 2023 period. A two-year transition period approved in the 2020 AGM to align the BCA Constitution with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to ensure that the elected President of the BCA who automatically becomes the BWF Vice President, gets to serve his 4-year term during the Olympic cycle. The AGM was held virtually for the second time running due to the ongoing Covid–19 pandemic restrictions on travel making it the first-ever Council Member’s Virtual elections in BCA’s history.
There was just one nominee each for the executive board position of President and Deputy president on offer and as per the BCA Election Guidelines Clause 3.7, Mr. Michel Bau of Seychelles, and Mr. Messaoud Zobiri of Algeria, was elected by acclamation as President, and Deputy President respectively giving them a chance to continue steering the BCA leadership.
President Bau said: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the BCA membership for the support they have placed in me again. The re-election of the executive members shows that there is a stability at our topmost governance structure and with stability we will continue to progress as an organisation. The road is still very long, and we will need the support of each and everyone to make badminton great on our Continent.”
Mr. Messaoud Zobiri, from Algeria, was happy to be re-elected as the Deputy President and congratulated all the successful candidates.
“Allow me, dear colleagues, to address you all to express my gratitude and thanks for the confidence you have placed in me in re-electing me as Deputy President of the BCA. It is an immense honor that I feel following this renewal of confidence which invites me to put all my experience and my knowledge at the service of badminton in Africa to make it rise to the rank of the greatest sport in the world. Once again, and not the last, thank you for all this, and be sure that I will commit myself fully to live up to the trust you have put in me.”
Mrs. Chipo Zumbrani of Zimbabwe who recently got elected for the BWF Council retained her Treasures post by garnering 40 votes against Botswana’s Mr. Mpiwa Bosenogile 2 votes. She stated:
“To my Badminton Friends, thank you for placing your trust and confidence in my abilities to resume the work in the office of the BCA Treasurer. It is such an honor and privilege for me to have your support. I know it is a significant commitment, but I know also that with your help, contributions, and continued support – we can do it together.
We are in a position where we have earned the trust of many of our stakeholders including the BWF. Under my leadership as BCA Treasurer – We will continue to strive for excellence in managing BCA finances and all her resources” said Mrs. Chipo in her acceptance speech. “I look forward working with you all again, the President Mr. Bau, the Deputy President Mr. Zobiri, the BCA office under the SG Mr. Edoo, and all our valued stakeholders and last but not least – to MR BOSENOGILE, thank you for running the race and having the courage to answer the call of such a duty. I wish you the best in your endeavours and allow me to tap into your expertise in the future. Thank you all again, be blessed, and stay safe”. She added.
There were 11 council positions up for elections and 17 candidates for these positions.
- Dr. (Mrs.) Jeanette Moneong LESHOTA (Lesotho)
- Mr. Simon Mugabi (Uganda)
- Mr. Hesham Fouad Mohamed Eltohamy (Egypt)
- Mr. Kingstin Mulenga (Zambia)
- Mrs. Odette Assembe Engoulou (Cameroon)
- Mr. Aubin Houndagnon Assoba (Benin)
- Mr. (Chief) Michael Shamsu Mustapha (Sierra Leone)
- Mr. Dro Honore Zolobe (Ivory Coast)
- Mr. Guy Armand Beninga Balcilia (Central African Republic)
- Mr. Geoffrey Omukoto (Jeff Shigoli) (Kenya)
- Mr. Rajen Pulto (Mauritius)
- Mr. Thuso Mudongo (Botswana)
- Mr. Francis Udukhomoi Orbih (Nigeria)
- Mohamed Moncef Zemmouchi (Algeria)
- Mr. Evans Kojo Yeboah (Ghana)
- Mr. Kay Kamatua Chirwa (Zambia)
- Mr. Jean Aime Ramaniraka Ravalison (Madagascar)
The following 11 candidates were elected for the 11 positions available as per the BCA constitution.
- Dr. (Mrs.) Jeanette Moneong LESHOTA (LESOTHO) – 42 votes
- Mr. Simon Mugabi (Uganda) – 42 votes
- Mr. Hesham Fouad Mohamed Eltohamy (Egypt) – 41 votes
- Mr. Kingstin Mulenga (Zambia) – 40 votes
- Mrs. Odette Assembe Engoulou (Cameroon) – 40 votes
- Mr. Aubin Houndagnon Assoba (Benin) – 38 votes
- Mr. (Chief) Michael Shamsu Mustapha (Sierra Leone) – 38 votes
- Mr. Dro Honore Zolobe (Ivory Coast) – 37 votes
- Mr. Guy Armand Beninga Balcilia (Central African Republic) – 32 votes
- Mr. Geoffrey Omukoto (Jeff Shigoli) {Kenya} – 30 votes
- Mr. Rajen Pulto (Mauritius) – 27 votes
The newly elected Mr. Hesham Eltohamy of Egypt was elated to start his service as a Council Member of BCA.
“With great happiness, I have got the honor of being selected as a member of the BCA Council. Thanks a lot for your votes, and your trust, I truly appreciate it. I seize this opportunity to congratulate all elected members, we will do our best together towards the growth of African Badminton. As for the non-selected friends, I would like to tell them that we will work hand in hand and their contribution will always be cherished. I would like also to congratulate our Egyptian player Hadia Hosny on the very well-deserved award. It is an honor for us, for Egypt to get such recognition. Thanks to each and every one for your great support.”
Re-elected BCA Council Member and Marketing Committee Mr. Honore Zolobe thanked all the members for his re-election and committed to working even harder to ensure the BCA dream is achieved.
“Thanks to all, your Servant Honoré Zolobe is re-elected to the Council of the African continental body. I wish to thank, with particular emphasis President Michel Bau, the Ladies of our Organization Chipo Zumburani, Odette Assembe, Dr. Jeannette Moneong Leshota without forgetting the linchpin of the General Secretariat, Mr. Sahir Edoo, and his Administration. I cannot quote them all. From the bottom of my heart receive my gratitude”.
The following outgoing council Members served the last term.
- Mr. Larry Keys [South Africa]- Vice President Region 4, Chair of Development Committee. EB member
- Aly Hassaballa [Egypt] Council Member
- Godfrey Mathumo [Botswana] Council Member
- Mr. Francis Udukhomol Orbih [Nigeria] Council Member
- Mr. Evans Kojo Yeboah [Ghana] Council Member
- Mr. Kay Kamatuwa Chirwa [Zambia] Chair of Administration and Remuneration Committee- EB member.
In other matters, the AGM also approved 6 other items on the Agenda including the approval of Mr. Ian Wright, BWF Development Director, Mr. Diraj Gooneadry, BWF Accredited Referee, and Mrs. Gretha Prinsloo, BWF Referee Assessor as the Scrutineers, the decision to have the Virtual AGM, adopting the financial reports, approval of Council’s proposal and the confirmation of Kearns & Associates Inc. the BCA auditors.
