BNSC faces budget cuts
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday February 11, 2023 06:00
However, BNSC board chairperson, Marumo Morule said he was not aware of the proposed cuts. “I have not seen that document, where did you get it? I am not aware of that amount.
Let me step into a meeting, I will call you back,” he said, but had not done so at press time. National Sport Associations (NSA) submitted their budget estimates a fortnight ago and the looming cuts will adversely affect activities. Botswana Bowling Association director of bowls, Marea Modutlwa said their proposed budget for the current financial year was P100,000.
“That is barely enough for our needs. Bowling always brings good results from international competitions and yet we get inadequate support from BNSC, and we rely heavily on self-sponsorship and private-sector funding,” she said. Modutlwa said they struggle to implement their development programmes and the standard of performance will go down unless they get more funding from the government.
“On a positive note, BNSC recently added lawn bowls to the Re Ba Bona Ha grassroots programme, so we expect to reap benefits from this in the next five to 10 years,” Modutlwa said. Botswana Cricket Association vice chairperson, Sumod Damodar said the imbalance of the equation is the reduction of the budget allocations. “The budget cuts are not a surprise, every sector of the economy has been hit due to the impact of COVID-19. Of course, the reduction of the grants will have an impact on the way we do things,” he said.
Damodar added things have now normalised, it is time to focus on the bigger picture. He said the challenge is that the number of NSAs has increased which means the pie gets smaller because everyone wants a piece.
“We need to be economically sensible on how we look at things, what practically can be done, it does not mean that if we did not get what we have requested from the commission we must stop our programmes. Let us be positive, NSAs should stop comparing themselves with each other because that is where problems start,” he said. Damodar said as cricket, they could not expect to receive the same amount as football or softball. He said expectations should not be high when sport approaches the private sector for support.
“The private sector wants to know what is there for them when they support sport. We also need to support each other as NSAs all the time,” Damodar said. Botswana Boxing Association president, Gilbert Khunwane said their budget proposal is above P1 million. He said the reduction of the BNSC grants is bad news for sport. “This is really bad for sport.
Last financial year our grant was cut from P1.2 million to P700,000. I am just wondering how much we will be getting this time around. It is a worrying state we find ourselves in,” he said. Khunwane said they will work hard to find ways to find sponsors and hopefully they will grab something. Interim karate president, Mpho Bakwadi said the sport is keeping its fingers crossed.
"We are very hopeful that we get better funding. Karate is a big code and with All Africa Games we need proper preparations. Government must assist in order to get better results. Karate is back and we are going forward," he said.