The Establishment of BNSC

Historical Background

The Botswana National Sports Council has been in existence since 1965 as an independent body, with the Botswana National Football Association (BNFA) as its only member affiliate. As an independent organisation, the BNSC relied on private donors for funding, and largely on the Bechuanaland National Sports Appeal Fund (BENSAF), which was also established in 1965. (B. Masala on Sports in Botswana: E.O. Owolabi & J. Thomas Adolph 1996). BENSAF, as the name suggests, was entrusted with soliciting funds from within the country and internationally, with a mission to construct sports facilities and source equipment. It was through the donations and self help initiatives that Botswana saw its first National Stadium completed and officially opened in September 1966.

In the same year, the Botswana National Sport Council recognised the existence of Botswana Lawn Tennis Association (BNLTA). Like the BNFA, the BNLTA also benefited from BENSAF efforts. Of the two BNFA activities were more dominant. Although there was no truly national league, the activities of football were organised by individual clubs who played teams from neighboring countries. In the course of time some individual clubs became disgruntled with the BNFA, affecting the general administration and organisation of football in the country. By 1972 these problems led to the institution of the Commission of Enquiry into the affairs of BNFA.

A major outcome of the Commission was the enactment of the BNSC Act in 1975 Cap. 60:01, as a regulatory mechanism, whose primary provisions were to ensure that, all sports clubs, associations and federations fall under the control of one umbrella body: Botswana national Sports Council. The Act was revised again in 1981.

According to the Act’s provisions, BNSC should be regarded as the supreme custodian of sports in Botswana whose strength and growth manifests in the number of affiliates and the level of established links with international sports bodies.

The BNSC is the government’s arm of extending resources to various sports associations and federations through the Ministry of Labour and Home Affair (MLHA), whose major responsibilities in its relations with BNSC include: financial support, liaising with other government ministries and departments, and above all, policy formulation for sports development.

It should be emphasised that some affiliates of the BNSC were established before the Council Act, e.g. BNLTA (1964) BNFA (1966) and Men’s Golf Union (1972). Despite this, these three became affiliated to the Council upon the promulgation of the Council statute in 1975.

BNSC is a member of the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa, and falls within the Zone VI region. The Council is linked to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC).

Objects

According to the BNSC Act, the Objects of the Council shall be to promote Sport within Botswana and participation of Sport outside Botswana.

Mandate and Functions

The National Sports and Recreation Policy outlines the mandate of the Botswana National Sports Council as follows:

• Coordination and Facilitation
  • Coordinate and facilitate implementation of sport development programmes as initiated by the national sports associations in accordance with the National Sports and Recreation Policy.
  • Coordinate development of short, medium and long term planning on sport development.
  • Adopt approved standards of coaching, administration, and management in all areas of sport delivery in line with international practice in sport.
  • Ensure that the primary delivery of sport takes place at and through the national sports and recreation associations.
  • Ensure that national sports associations decentralize their management structures in order to facilitate sport development throughout the country.
  • Forge links with international sports bodies and technical cooperation assistance bodies.
    
• Sport facilities development and management
  • Coordinate all sport facilities requirements by the national sport association.
  • Manage the sports facilities in line with the agreed terms and conditions by Government.
    
• Resource mobilization and appropriation
  • Coordinate requests for budget for sport and recreation development from the national sport associations.
  • Monitor, distribute and account for the Government subvention on sports development through the development of an effective internal system.
  • Assist the national sports associations with a strategic approach towards resource mobilization.
  • Provide and manage administrators and technical personnel for selected sports disciplines.
    
• Sports Promotion
  • Create linkages with the media, sponsors, private sector and other stakeholders in the promotion of sport.
    
• International Competition
  • Determine criteria for participation in regional, continental and international competitions by Botswana teams.
  • Prepare Botswana athletes for international competitions in
    Collaboration with the Botswana National Olympic Committee and national sport associations; with the latter as lead agents.

Vision Statement
To lead Botswana towards sporting excellence and contribute to national development, unity and pride

Mission Statement of Intent
We shall provide a quality and innovative sport delivery system through improved sport management and development processes

Core Values

• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Effective Communication
• Professionalism
• Quality Service Delivery
• Enjoyment

Motto
“Sports for all, for leisure, health, employment and national pride”