Sport feels pinch as BNSC budget cut
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 28, 2017 14:48
Some National Sport Associations (NSAs) are already feeling the pinch, with boxing and weight lifting being the first casualties.
BNSC chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo told Mmegi Sport that the budget cut will force them to pursue alternative revenue streams. Sedimo said they are not expecting any increase in the budget, but instead a decrease is forecast.
“We always receive around P100 million. The amount included National Sport Associations grants. The situation we are in now means we should come up with strategies of seeking funding from other sources,” Sedimo said.
BNSC chairperson, Solomon Reikeletseng said the government is investing a lot of money in special projects, with the country hosting the World Netball Youth Cup in July, World Softball conference, the AUSC Region V games, amongst others.
Therefore, he said one would think there has been a budget cut for operations.
“Actually there has been an increase in the money injected into sport if you look at funds allocated for special projects,” he said. Botswana Football Association (BFA) public relations officer (PRO), Tumo Mpatane said last financial year they received P5.5 million, which was a sizeable amount. He noted that football is an expensive sport and requires a lot of money.
“Our national teams and structures require money from us as the mother body. We currently have an ambitious programme being the Youth League, which is also expensive. We continue to work hard to bring sponsors onboard to augment the BNSC grant. We are always grateful of what we are getting from BNSC,” he said.
Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) spokesperson, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said the new committee is yet to meet over the budget issue. He said they are aware of the budget cut. Ramatshaba said the cut is going to affect the implementation of their programmes considering that they have a busy year ahead that requires a lot of money.
Botswana Karate Association PRO, Isaiah Ramontshonyana said they are not aware of how much they are going to receive.
“The BNSC has informed us that they have not received funding from the ministry. You must also know that I am not aware of how much the previous committee had requested because the handover is not yet complete,” he said.
Botswana Softball Association PRO, Kelebogile Seitei said there are indications that the grant could be lower than last year.