Kgathi issues stern warning to sports

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday February 12, 2014 19:10

 

Departing from a prepared speech when he officiated at an event to announce Mascom’s P880,000 sponsorship for the Gaborone Africa Youth Games, the minister laid into sports codes which he did not name, saying they need to improve administratively.

He said in the new financial year, which begins in April, funding for various disciplines will be prioritised.

“There are a few of those who need to polish up administratively. We should put sports first. Let us put our energy in driving the Sports Vision,” he said. Kgathi said lavish spending will be reduced as funding is prioritised.

“The bulk of the money has to go to sports. We will fund the decentralisation of sport as there is a lot of talent out there. We want to show sponsors that there is seriousness,” Kgathi said. He promised to fund codes which strictly talk about talent identification and focus will be on organisational management. He said inter and intra code fights should come to an end.

“We spend so much time arguing on what we should do. We expect the Sports Bill to pass soon in Parliament and once that is done, we will move with speed.”

He said international rankings should reflect the amount of resources which the government channels to sport.

Kgathi commended Mascom for sponsoring the Africa Youth Games saying the cellular services provider has proved to be a true friend of sport. “Mascom has really come to play ball in all respects.

They see the potential to turn the wheels of development through sports.” Kgathi said the games’ organising committee, BAYGOC, had done relatively well, accomplishing 70 percent of the job so far.

Mascom chief executive officer, Jose Couceiro said it is through sport that the company is able to engage with Batswana.

“Sport allows us to contribute to Botswana’s Vision 2016 Pillar of ‘A United and Proud Nation’. Sport is a powerful tool that can cut through language and cultural differences. Overnight sport can create heroes. And very easily, it touches on the hearts and minds of all ages,” he said.

Of the 21 sporting codes that will be played at the Youth Games, Mascom has sponsored at least six at national level. In total Mascom is involved with eight sporting codes.

Mascom’s silver sponsorship package will see P500,000 being given to BAYGOC in cash. The balance of P380,000 will be used to provide data, airtime and sim-packs for athletes, technical officials and volunteers.