Not yet uhuru for school sport
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday April 2, 2022 08:48
The minister said they have made enough progress and school sport will be back, not in its entirety but sufficient enough to positively impact the sport development agenda. Despite those words, it seems like it will not be a smooth return.
Over the weekend, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) met with the Botswana Primary School Sport Association (BOPSSA) and Botswana Integrated Sport Association (BISA) to discuss the commencement of school sport.
According to information reaching this publication, the meeting reached a deadlock.
“MYSC through BNSC has taken over school sport from the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) under the condition that school heads will be tasked with ensuring that sport if it is for recreation, leisure and academic drive will be incorporated within the eight hours of normal teaching for 30 or so minutes,” a source said.
A source said initially when BISA and BOPSSA presented their budgets against the money allocated, there was a deadlock because MYSC would not adjust their budget. It has emerged that the government had a budget of P17 million, which was less than what the associations needed.
Currently, BISA and BOPSSA are to oversee the transition of school sport for two years while MYSC forms a body to run school sport.
A source said AUSC Region 5 Games slated for Malawi in December will be used as a yardstick for the resumption of school sport, through a national body encompassing both BISA and BOPSSA.
All other codes that are not included would unfortunately not be part of the package within the budget at MYSC until probably after two years of transition, funds permitting. The codes are softball, badminton, table tennis, karate and boxing.
“School sport will be divided into 10 regions just like the format used during the Botswana Games, with a lead team of organisers for selections across regions amongst the selected codes. There shall be no school leagues and elimination games, according to BISA format as it was the case before. Only selection over possibly a weekend and pick the best 16 players at the regional and national level to make national teams,” a source further said.
The source said coaches who volunteer are to be paid the same rate at each level of competition.
BOPSSA president, Busani Segweni told Mmegi Sport that the process is still at the consultation stage.
“BNSC is still consulting us hence the weekend meeting. They are consulting all structures including teachers. All parties have their own expectations from the talks,” he said.
Segweni denied that there was a deadlock during the meeting. He said BOPSSA is to consult their members during an upcoming Annual General Meeting.
He said if the teachers agree to what is being suggested, then school sport resumes.
“Ministry of Education is working on physical activities to be included in the school curriculum. BISA president, Joshua Gaotlhobogwe also shared the same sentiments as the BOPSSA president that they are still in the consultative stage. He said they can only know their position after the exercise is complete.
When asked about the May deadline, Gaotlhobogwe did not want to commit himself as he noted that the project belongs to MYSC and they make decisions.
“We have received the task force report. As BISA we appreciate any effort that creates an opportunity for students to showcase talent in the sporting fields,” Gaotlhobogwe said.