Ministry plans umbrella sports body

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Wednesday December 15, 2010 00:00

 

The plan involves amalgamating the Department of Sports and Recreation (DSR), Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) into a single body to manage sports in the country. It has been realised that the current arrangement where sport is managed by the three bodies is not sustainable. The current system has also brought about confusion because of overlapping roles and turf wars especially between BNSC and BNOC. 

The DSR is tasked with sports regulation and policy formulation while BNSC deals with grass roots development with BNOC taking care of elite sport.

To avoid duplication of duties, the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi has said they are working on establishing a robust structure free from overlaps. Previously, BNSC and BNOC fought for supremacy because their roles were not clearly spelt out. Kgathi said the new dispensation will not only remove overlaps and duplication of duties but will result in role clarity and significant cost-savings through the prudent use of available resources. It will also provide a one-stop shop for sports development. 

The minister said the plan to come up with one sports body is at an advanced stage and already a draft is on the table with in-put from the Attorney General. He stated that the ministry will make further contributions to the draft to enable sports leaders to develop a holistic approach.