BGU needs P50 million for new F/town golf club
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday February 12, 2015 11:17
He told Mmegi Sport that BGU has been allocated a plot near the new Francistown Stadium, but they need P144,000 annually to pay Francistown City Council (FCC) in rates. Kelosiwang revealed that they have approached Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) to assist in paying the rates or negotiate for a lesser amount.
Kelosiwang said Tati company has offered to give BGU a plot and they are still considering the offer. He said they have set up a task force to look into the offer.
BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng, said the plan is to give Francistown a golf club and the matter is being discussed. He explained that the golf club is one of the projects that his organisation intends to implement before the Botswana Games that will be held in Francistown later this year.
“BGU gets an annual grant like other affiliates. They should submit proposals to the council and funding will be provided where possible.
They are part of the BNSC structures,” said Reikeletseng. The BNSC boss expressed concern about the increasing gap between senior and junior golfers. He said that even after the sport graduated from being a white man’s domain, it still remains a challenge to recruit players.
“We now have programmes meant to close that gap. We want to groom youngsters into good players.
You must know that golf is an expensive undertaking and it is not easy to be financed by a family. Unlike other sports, golfers are not paid to play,” he said.
Reikeletseng expressed concern that it is a struggle to get players to participate in the BGU junior development programme. He said they are working with Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) to introduce golf in schools.
He said the idea is to start the project in Gaborone junior and senior secondary schools. Kelosiwang said the arrangement is expected to attract more students to be involved in the sport.