Botswana prepares to host P9m TAFISA Congress
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 24, 2026 06:00
Botswana is also expected to pay an additional P1.2 million as the hosting fee charged by TAFISA. The congress will bring together global experts, researchers, practitioners, decision-makers and representatives from all continents to shape the Sport for All movement. TAFISA World Congress Gaborone 2027 general manager, Thuto Molebatsi, said Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), as the host entity, has committed to funding the event from its annual subvention from the government.
Speaking at a press conference this week, he added therefore, there is no additional funding for the event.
Molebatsi explained that the total budget for the congress is more than P9 million, with part of it coming from registration fees.
With the anticipated registrations, about P3.5 million will come from registration fees, whilst more than P1 million will come from sponsorships.
The GM said the government’s commitment is around P4.6 million, which will come from the BNSC grant over three years (2024–2025, 2026–2027, and 2027–2028).
Molebatsi added TAFISA expects Botswana to pay a hosting fee of €80,000 (around P1.2 million), which is to be raised through registration fees.
“We are looking forward to partnerships that will reduce the contribution invested by government. If we get more than the targeted 500 registrations, that will also reduce the amount. We want to go out and encourage partnerships and sponsorships,” he explained.
“We are also encouraging partnerships for some of the projects that we are undertaking. Our approach to the organisations is to make an impact in the community and sponsor some members of the community to attend the World Congress.
“We are talking about Sport for All, we tell them about the congress, and we do not create opportunities for them to attend it.”
Molebatsi stated the congress is an opportunity to accelerate the BNSC’s efforts to reach out to communities to promote sport and realise its associated benefits. He said the congress will be held from October 18–20, 2027.
“Building up to the congress, you will agree with me that some Batswana are taking part in sport and physical activities, but is it adequate enough for us to present a case to the government, spread the message to Africa and the world? This is the second time this congress is being held in Africa, following the 2001 congress that was held in Cape Town,” Molebatsi said.
“We want to enhance regional integration across Southern Africa, Africa, and the world. Our message is that we want to promote physical activities not just in Gaborone, but most of the legacy projects will be community projects. Sport for All, we are talking about inclusivity,” he added.
Meanwhile, Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Molefhi Kannemeyer Obenne, said their mission goes beyond just hosting an international congress, but should create opportunities, grow people, strengthen institutions, stimulate businesses, build international relationships and create a lasting legacy for Sport for All.
“For Gaborone 2027, discussions are already looking beyond traditional sport—in health, education, business, urban planning, inclusion, policy and sustainable development. Sport for All is not simply about producing champions; it is not about competition. It is about a child playing, an elderly person walking, a person with a disability having equal opportunities to participate and the economy,” Obenne said.