Botswana to miss COSASA, ISSF games
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday February 26, 2015 18:00
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has said there is no money to send teams to the games.
Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) president, Joshua Gaotlhobogwe told Mmegi Sport that Botswana would not participate in the COSASA games slated for Lesotho in April.
He revealed that school sports activities have been called off due to lack of funds. According to a savingram from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), travelling (both internal and external) has been frozen until further notice.
Gaotlhobogwe said they have already lost nine weeks in their calendar of events. The situation is expected to last until April when the new financial year starts.
He added that the plan was to host BISA national finals in April, which were to be used as a platform to select the national team. The association needs P400, 000 to host the competition.
“We cannot pick a team without the national finals. Athletes are selected based on their current form. It means we are not going to have the BISA national finals this year.
“We do not know what happened at the ministry,” he said.
Gaotlhobogwe said lack of sporting activities would affect athletes’ progress. Some pupils who completed Standard Seven last year were expected to participate in the COSASA games, he said.
He said there would be a vacuum that will be difficult to fill, but is hopeful the situation would improve next year.
Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) president, Busani Segweni blamed the situation on the government’s failure to pay teachers overtime allowance.
Segweni argued that learners are suffering because of the impulse between teachers and the government.
He said the ministry has informed them that they wanted to clear overtime allowances from last year before they can give the go ahead for this year’s activities.
“I appreciate the efforts of the MoESD and they always communicate with us. We tried seeking assistance from Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture through Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) but they are quiet,” said Segweni.
However, Gaotlhobogwe argued that non-payment of teachers overtime allowances has nothing to do with sporting activities.
Meanwhile, BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said he was aware of the issue. He said they are also concerned about lack of sporting activities in schools.
He explained that the only way they can deal with the issue is through the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture.
He said the BNSC board is meeting in Maun next month and the issue will be discussed.
“All we can do is to provide the ministry with advice. This is a decision that was taken at the government enclave and the two ministries will engage each other,” he said.