Although there has been a change to the original dream, BNSC chiefs are happy that they have finally struck a deal with the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) to sell them two blocks of flats at Block Nine to be used as the athletes' village.
The facility, which is to be used by national teams as they prepare for international assignments as well as routine training purposes, will be officially unveiled today by BNSC chairperson Dorcas Makgato-Malesu. Representatives from the Department of Sports and Recreation (DSR), Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and BNSC other affiliates are also expected to grace the event.
BNSC communications manager Eunice Hirtchfield-Lawrence would not say how much they paid the BHC for the property, saying more details would be provided at the unveiling ceremony, where the media and other guests would be taken on a guided tour of the flats. However, she was visibly over the moon about the acquisition of the facility, as it would help BNSC cut costs.
"Over the years we spent millions as teams went into training camp for various international assignments. This problem has been solved a great deal. Also the athletes' village will make it easier for the BNSC to monitor the state of individual athletes, as they will be housed in a central place. We will have full access to the athletes.
"Some of these national team athletes are very young people who need tender care. It would be much easier for us to help them directly whenever they need urgent attention," she added.
The BNSC spokesperson also said the Block 9 facility will be rented out to travellers during the off-season. "When our teams are in off season, we will hire out the facility to travellers so we could earn some profit," she said. Initially the Sports village was planned to be erected somewhere near the National Stadium and the University of Botswana (UB). It was not possible.
At some point the BNSC had to rent out a facility around Middle Star area, but they later abandoned the idea as it proved costly.
