Robert unhappy with BNSC funding
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 13, 2023 16:02
Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) president, Kitso Robert has expressed disappointment over the little grant that his association receives from Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC).
The complaint comes after the Commission introduced a new funding model of tier system for the financial year. Speaking during BBA Annual General Meeting (AGM), Robert said funds availability is a major problem and a limiting factor when it comes to sport development. He said lack of funds will kill the sport and demoralise the national team players.
“Our grant in 2022 was P100,000 which included administration and youth development. The funds were not enough for one international tournament. I do not understand how you can give a sport like bowling that amount, which is not even a quarter of what we had requested,” he said. Robert also said they can cry as much as they can but some things are beyond their control hence the need to raise funds.
“We all know if it was not for Mighty Infinity sponsoring us by P100,000, we could have not played the Quadrangular tournament in South Africa and the Singles Champion of Champions in New Zealand,” he said.
Robert said each member of the national team is expected to raise 20% of the total fees or else they should forget about playing the African States Tournament (AST) to be held in Namibia in June and the World Championships slated for Australia. He admitted that sponsorship was better in 2022 as most of the tournaments were sponsored with good money. He said the total sponsorship for 2022 stood at P248,600 and the estimated budget for 2023 is P858,746 for all BBA calendar events.
“It is apparent that we have forgotten our duties and responsibilities as the national team. We have backtracked countless steps backwards by failing to comply with basic requirements as stipulated in the code of conduct, instructions from the coach and director of bowls,” he said.
Robert said he did not want to elaborate further on the issue because it makes him sad seeing how the national team efficiency and playing capability has depreciated. He said if a player is not committed to playing for the national team they should not out down their names.
The AGM was held at the Gaborone Club where the first Major tournament was played.
Meanwhile, elections were held for some positions in the executive committee, after the term in office had expired.
Ookeditse Lekang is the new vice president after beating Regent Reid who has been holding the position. Ten votes were cast for the position, Lekang scooped seven nods while only three delegates went with Reid. Gasegarona Pabalelo was unchallenged for the position of treasurer. Director of Bowls position remains vacant because the candidates who had interest did not meet the requirements. The position became vacant after the incumbent, Marea Modutlwa resigned from the executive committee. Dick Senna submitted his profile for the position of national selector.