Mosah Mokganedi
21 April 2008
The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) uses P140,000 to pay winners at its annual awards' ceremony. BNSC sports development officer Seitshiro Matlala said over the weekend the amount did not include the cost of trophies.
He explained to participants at the 'Know Your Sports Council' meeting on Saturday that individual winners of awards get P4,000 while runners up get P1,000. In group awards, winners get P10,000. Matlala was speaking after some BNSC affiliates expressed dissatisfaction that the money given to individual winners is too little hence the need for a review.
Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president Gift Nkwe said at the meeting that there is a need to review the incentives since they have not been increased for some time. Matlala agreed that the incentive scheme has not been changed for some time and now it is under review.
Tebogo Setlalekgosi of Botswana Netball Association (BONA) felt that the tickets prices for the awards were too high for ordinary sports people and that the BNSC should consider a reduction. She advised the council to consider giving companies that sponsor sports in other ways, free tickets for the event rather than make them buy tables, as is the current practice.
Ross Tebele from Special Olympics called for a review of the BNSC handbook saying it is outdated. Tshepo Mokhuchedi of the newly established Botswana Dance Sports (BODANSA) said as a new code, they do not understand many issues and the meeting is an eye-opener.
He said there are many things they wanted to do but they are not sure which procedure to follow. "We are currently working on our strategic plan and the knowledge we gained today will help us fast track it," he said.
Lebogang Segotso of Botswana Paralympics Association was not aware of the time allowed to request the release of athletes from schools. She said they have always had a problem of getting schoolboys and girls very late for competitions. Sometimes, teachers just refuse to release the students for sports.
Tuelo Serufho of the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) said the meeting clarified for them some issues they did not know. He added that the meeting gave them a chance to interact with other affiliates and share experiences. He said the meeting has improved the relationship between affiliates and the BNSC because they now understand each other.
BNSC executive secretary Kitso Kemoeng thanked affiliates for their cooperation and advised them to knock at the council's door anytime they needed help. He told Monitor Sport in that in recent times, they have had lesser problems dealing with affiliates because they now understand them. He added that as they dialogue with the affiliates, they get to learn from them. "We have realised from the meetings that we need to revisit some things, we think we should be more vigilant," he said.
The purpose of the meeting was to enlighten affiliates about the council's general operations. The Know Your Sports Council initiative was established last year after the realisation that some affiliates are not conversant with the BNSC and its role.
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