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An Incentive Policy marching out of sync

For winning a bronze medal at the Olympic Games, the 4x400m relay team earned two-bedroomed houses, valued well around P700, 000 each.

Almost two years later, Ross Branch finishes second in the equivalent of motorsport's Olympics, the Dakar Rally and gets P100, 000. The relay team received support from the government, through the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) while there is also assistance through the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC).

There was nothing out of pocket as the athletes' welfare was taken care of by the government. For Branch to go to the Dakar Rally, he has to dig deep into his pockets. Luckily, he is under a factory team which takes care of some of the expenses. The Dakar Rally is acknowledged as one of the toughest, if not the toughest, off-road races on the motorsport calendar. It is the undoubted World Cup of motorsport. Branch has elevated the status of local motorsport and by extension, enhanced the country's image on the international arena. However, the rewards he got are not reflective of this, thanks to an archaic Athletes Incentives Policy.

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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