The minister explained that the move is meant to promote event driven tourism. He said his ministry continues to participate and collaborate with that of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism through Botswana Tourism Organisation in other sporting events that drive tourism such as Khawa Sand Dune Challenge, Makgadikgadi Epic and 1000km Toyota Desert Race. He said when presenting his ministry’s budget in Parliament last week that these events continue to attract a lot of tourists and that their popularity has increased overtime.
Olopeng revealed to Parliament that the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and its affiliates are currently experiencing administrative challenges. These include the council’s (in) ability to manage different sports codes affiliated to it. To overcome this, the ministry would commit resources to address governance challenges in the sporting fraternity. Olopeng said that Parliament passed the Botswana National Sport Commission Bill in July 2014, which has since been signed into law and preparations are underway to ensure that it comes into effect in the financial year 2015-2016.
