Dissolving BNSC holds crucial meeting

Mqondisi Dube | Thursday March 26, 2015 16:58

 

The BNSC is expected to pave way for the establishment of Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) when the new Sports Act comes into effect next month.

BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng described today’s meeting as important with exciting policy changes expected.

“There are new policies which are going to be introduced which is good for the development of sports. I cannot pre-empt, but some are long over due. We are paving way for the new Act, so tomorrow (today) will be very important as we close (sic) the old Act and open a new chapter,” he said.

He said the ‘exciting policies’ are centred on sports funding, an issue which has caused consternation among BNSC affiliates in the past.

Sports authorities have argued that despite evident progress, government funding has remained stagnant and in some instances, the money has been reduced.

This year’s sports budget stands at P71 million to be shared among 35 codes with fencing joining the growing list of affiliates. Fencing’s affiliation to BNSC is expected to be ratified at tonight’s meeting.

“Affiliates will also keenly follow the distribution of the budget. Some of the money in the budget is being reimbursed from funds which we had channelled towards hosting the Africa Youth Games last year,” Reikeletseng explained.

The OGM will also discuss the hosting of the Botswana Games in Francistown later this year. The games move to the north for the first time.

Meanwhile, the appointment of the chief executive officer to run the new commission would not be on the agenda. “We are waiting for the minister to discuss the names which were forwarded to him,” Reikeletseng said.

Three names have been submitted to the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng for consideration. Among the names mentioned for the plum post are Falcon Sedimo, Thato Kgosimore and former BNSC executive secretary, Kitso Kemoeng.