BNSC 10% grant to drive development
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday April 1, 2015 10:03
BNSC chairperson told Mmegi Sport the development, announced at the council’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) last Thursday, would see Botswana build a solid sports foundation.
“We have realised that we just go to some of these international competitions because it is a requirement, without really making an impact. It does not make development or business sense. We have to start locally,” Reikeletseng said.
He said there is a need to build strong teams, and believes the 10 percent reserved for hosting one national championship would go a long way in achieving the target.
Under the new arrangement, codes are allowed to use 10 percent of their annual budget allocation for a national tournament. Reikeletseng argues this will strengthen the quality of competition and in the process attract sponsors.
In order to fund the grant, some of the international activities deemed a ‘liability’ would be cut and the funds channelled towards the local competition.
Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego was elated when the development was announced at the OGM.
“Welcome development by the BNSC. 10% of the grant to codes to be directed to a national championship! BONA supports this fully,” she said on her Facebook page immediately after the announcement.
Meanwhile, Reikeletseng said there are marginal increases for minority sports in the annual budget, which has already been sent to government. This year’s budget is around P72 million for 35 codes after fencing became the latest addition.