Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development minister, Tumiso Rakgare says it is vital that affliliates adopt athlete-centred approach in everything they do to ensure that greatest proportion of funds invested goes directly to athletes for enhancement of performance.
He said this during Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) annual general assembly recently.
“Over and above the athlete-centred approach, there is need to improve athlete discipline, standard of administration and governance of National Sports Associations,” he said.
Rakgare said he was cognizant of the fact that the National Sport and Recreation Policy of 2001 was overdue for review adding that the ministry would make it a priority in the next planning and implementation cycle.
Furthermore, he highlighted that they were committed to amending the BNSC Act No. 30 of 2014 with a view to close all the gaps that had been identified since its implementation in the last five years.
“We should all be aware that after amendment, the Act may not necessarily be perfect, however, it should be good enough to aide implementation of plans and strategies of the commission,” he said.
Rakgare pleaded with affiliates that as they make preparations towards celebrating the 54th anniversary of independence and sports’ invaluable contribution, it was important that they keep their focus on the vision of the commission and be guided by pursuit of excellence in everything they do with a view to remain both relevant and globally competitive.
He said they should consider reviewing some operations with a view to making them more cost effective, adding that time had come for them to consider Tier System for their National Sport Associations.
“Gone are the days when associations were funded on a historical basis. We should now demand value for money and determine, which codes can and will help us achieve our strategic goals,” he said.
The minister also pleaded with all National Sport Association to develop grassroots development programmes that would ensure continued improvement in the performance of respective athletes and national teams.