BNSC to reconsider finance model
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:58
The move is being influenced by the ‘so called’ minority codes such as karate, swimming, athletics, chess amongst others at international stage. The codes have proved themselves over and over again that they are a force to reckon with but when it comes to the distribution of the pie, they get the smaller pieces. On the other hand, football always gets the largest share.
BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the idea of coming up with a different model was discussed some years back, but affiliates were against the idea. He said that was the period when Boyce Sebetela was BNSC chairperson. “The idea has been brought to the table, but it did not see the light of the day,” he said.
Reikeletseng said money should be put where results are forthcoming. He said the Commission is in the process of reconsidering the financial model. For his part, BNSC chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo said he could not discuss the issue because it is beyond his scope of work. Mmegi Sport spoke to some codes to get their views on the matter. Botswana Karate Association, Tshepho Bathai: It is a complex issue. They have to use a matrix that includes results, specific code model and governance. Take for example football, we all know that it is expensive, but it is not bringing desired results. If a sport code is given grants, but cannot account for them, they should get less or nothing. At the same time, we should encourage those codes that are doing well to continue in that space.
He said the current grants are not enough for the development of sport. Bathai said the government knows better when it comes to priorities of the nation.
Botswana Softball Association, Kelebogile Seitei: I do not know the details around the current criteria used, but if we use performance then it makes sense as it also acts as a motivator and the rewards are clear.
Botswana Chess Federation, Mothokomedi Thabano: It is high time the model is changed and grants should be performance-based. He said small codes are unable to prepare well for international competitions because they are limited by funds.
“We are not able to put teams in training camps or even get coaches from outside the country to come and do proper training of athletes. We have codes that are deemed traditional such as football, but what have they brought to the country,” he added. Thabano said at the moment, they have a team going to a tournament in Zimbabwe next month and they are not able to put them in camp because the entire grant would be spent.