Mosah Mokganedi
14 November 2008
The new Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) executive committee presented its plan of action to the media on Wednesday. BNSC executive chairperson, Dr Daniel Tau said their action motto is: "In pursuit of an integrated and unified sports management and development system".
Tau said they intend to work with all sports stakeholders to achieve the goals in the plan which some felt was too ambitious to be executed in one year. He explained that they are putting in place a foundation that can be used by their successors. Among the things that the BNSC want to fast track is the construction of indoor sports facilities, which are scarce in Botswana.
The shortage has resulted in disruptions especially during the rainy season. The BNSC wants to move away from just being a sports organisation to give back to the communities through social responsibility programmes. The organisation intends to put in place a finance committee to allocate funds to sports codes.
Tau explained that they are talking to stakeholders about what they want to achieve. He reiterated the importance of a good working relationship between the BNSC, Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) and the Department of Sports and Recreation (DSR). "We believe we have to work harmoniously for the betterment of sports," he said.
He added that there is need to brand sport. He said his committee will help less known sports codes to sell themselves. Tau told reporters that the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Gladys Kokorwe, has accepted the plan. Tau was worried by recent reports by a local radio station that he was employed by BNSC. He made it clear that he was not an employee but a sports' volunteer.
He said Botswana will be sending 126 athletes to the Zone VI Under-20 games in South Africa next month.
BNSC vice chairperson, Dr Nomsa Mbere said they need to improve the grass roots programme Re Ba Bona Ha. She said the programme in its current form is not effective as it loses children along the way. She said there is need to have children competing so that the programme can gain momentum. Mbere said they need to find a way to monitor children's progress. She asserted that considering the population of Botswana, the country is not doing badly in international competitions and grassroots development must be strengthened. The new BNSC executive committee took office in July this year.
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