We are not glory-seekers - BNOC
| Friday December 3, 2010 00:00
Serufho: The preparations will start in earnest at the beginning of 2011. We appreciate that some of our athletes are semi professionals and therefore, preparations have stopped since New Delhi (Commonwealth Games). There are some athletes who are on a break while others have remained active.
We have completed revisions to the London 2012 and beyond plan and we hope that at the beginning of the year, if we have funding, we will fully implement it. We also get support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity and we have submitted requests for funding for some of our bright athletes. As soon as we get funding, which should be in the new year, we will intensify preparations.
Thirdly, the London Organising Committee has a financial award for all local organising committees, which is up to 25,000 pounds, so we are working towards taking advantage of that.
Mmegi Sport: You have mentioned that you want to forward names of athletes to the IOC Solidarity, do you have any in mind?
Serufho: We have some from athletics, judo, boxing and swimming although we cannot name them at the moment.
Mmegi Sport: What number are you looking to take to London?
Serufho: If football (Under-23 team) qualifies, we are looking at 50 and if they do not, then we will take 20.
Mmegi Sport: What are your medal targets?
Serufho: We are targeting two medals, you may be aware that the government is a signatory to an agreement called 12 x 12, where teams in the southern African region are expected to win two medals at the London 2012 Olympics. We as the BNOC are bound by that agreement. Out of the two medals one has to be gold.
Mmegi Sport: Is this achievable?
Serufho: It depends. It could be achievable if we follow our London 2012 plan, we reckon there is a good chance of meeting the target.
Mmegi Sport: Do you think failure to win the two medals will be considered a failure?
Serufho: Not really, if we were to get the support that we need and don't bring the two medals, then it's a failure.
However, if we don't get all that we need and bring one medal we can't say that is a failure.
Mmegi Sport: Looking at the performance in India and the high standards set there, do you think a target of two medals is not ambitious for a number of 50 athletes?
Serufho: We should take history into consideration. We have never won a medal at the Olympics and the tournament is far more competitive than the Commonwealth Games. When we set targets we consider the athletes' position in the world rankings.
That is how we arrived at the two medals. Not that I want to find excuses, but look at South Africa which has a larger population and better resources than us yet they only won one medal at the Beijing Olympics. It shows that competition is tough at the Olympics.
Mmegi Sport: Considering what happened in India, do you think targeted funding should be prioritised?
Serufho: Yes that is my belief. We should agree on what we want to achieve. There is development, or mass participation and competing. We should know if we want to go there for the sake of participation or bring glory to the country. We should separate the two. Athletes who meet a certain criteria should be assisted until they reach a certain standards.
Then we could pick another group until they also reach a certain level. For example, if Amantle Montsho continues to perform the way she has been doing, very soon she will not need our funding as she will attract sponsors.
Mmegi Sport: Most sports disciplines complain about lack of funding, how is your situation?
Serufho: We are making efforts to generate income elsewhere to augment what we get from the government, which is insufficient. One avenue will be the sale of merchandise once we get more athletes like Montsho. We are exploring different routes and of course we will continue to engage potential corporate sponsors.
Mmegi Sport: The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has accused the BNOC of taking all the glory after the team's exploits at the Commonwealth Games, what is your comment?
Serufho: I can't comment, we have to meet the BAA first to establish what the issue is.
Mmegi Sport: But are you glory seekers?
Serufho: (Laughs) No, we are not. But as I said, I have to establish what the issue is. The team that went to New Delhi was under our jurisdiction, we were the official people to deal with the media. Of course we cannot claim that we are solely responsible for the achievement in New Delhi but we are a part of the success. Different players share the success; it is a result of concerted efforts.