National Sports Associations (NSAs) are in wailing. Three months since the start of the government financial year, they are yet to be given their annual grants.
According to different NSAs, they have made enquiries to the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) as to when they will be given their annual grants. So far, the sporting mother body has not been forthcoming.
The current situation has left many of the NSAs in desperation. The uncertainty has halted them from implementing their annual calendar of activities. Worse still, they are not yet aware how much they will get.
“We are unable to implement our activities because we do not have money to execute on our plans. Athletes are missing on opportunities and it is hampering on their development and achievements,” one administrator says.
Such a delay in the start of activities and lack of competitions is hindering local athletes and NSAs from gauging themselves against other countries. “If athletes are not participating in international competitions, that is denying the country accolades it should be having through athletes winning glory for the country,” another administrator adds.
While they wait, they are also wary of what they are crying for. BNSC has taken a decision to once again look at the funding categorisation of NSAs. “We have finalised the process of categorising NSAs for funding purposes, in addition to setting ceilings for NSAs,” says BNSC chief executive officer (CEO) Tuelo Serufho.
According to Serufho, the categorisation was based on the extent to which NSAs currently contribute to and also their potential to contribute to goals set out in the National Vision 2036, the Reset Agenda and the BNSC’s Vision 2028.
Serufho said the NSAs have now been advised of the categories they fall into and their subvention ceilings. “Tier 1 and Tier 2 NSAs are getting a larger share of the budget and have generally had their subventions increased when compared to 2022/2023, in the exception of a few that either relegated from a higher Tier or are the best funded. The two highly funded are BFA and BAA whose grant amounts have been maintained. While the BNSC has had its grant cut by 24% when compared to the 2022/2023 financial year, the Commission has protected the overall sum of direct allocation grant to NSAs while it has increased the indirect allocation vote by 13.8%,” he explains.
