Fifty years since its formation, the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has finally wrapped its business to give way to the Botswana National Sports Commission. The Council officially closed business at its historic last Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Fairgrounds Holding’s Pavilion Hall this past Saturday. Addressing the AGM, BNSC Chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng informed various sporting codes delegates that the advent of a Sports Commission ‘marks the beginning of a major transformation in the country’s sports administration system.’
He informed the delegates that the upcoming Commission has a lot in store for sport in the country. According to the BNSC Chairperson, the commission, which will expand the functions of the BNSC, will bring along some changes, among which will be the changes in financial year, better composition of the board, legal recognition of organs of the council such as Women and Sport as well as Sport for people with disabilities. Other issues on the agenda for the new Commision will include professional sport, recreation sport as well as issues of anti doping in sport. “This year should be remembered as a year of positive change. We have to use the new dispensation for the good,” the BNSC Chairperson informed the delegates.
“I want to emphasise that the wheel of change in sport is on course with a new dispensation of the sport commission. We therefore have to brace ourselves to be equal to the new demands of our industry,” Reikeletseng said. While informing the sporting codes to embrace the new dispensation, Reikeletseng warned them that this will include a change in their mentalities. He said this will include ceasing of incessant infightings that are plaguing sport in the country as well as verbal sparring. He informed them that since the Botswana parliament passed the Sport Commission Bill in July last year, it has since been signed into law by President Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama during the first quarter of this year.
With the bill signed, Reikeletseng said the new Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC Act No 30 of 2014) will take effect at a date yet to be formally communicated by the Minister of Youth Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng. “I wish to state that the act provides that the first meeting of the commission shall be called by the Minister. As we wrap up the business of the Botswana National Sports Council, we are paving way for the Honourable Minister to officially call for the convening of the inaugural meeting of the Commission,” Reikeletseng explained. Meanwhile the AGM has elected the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) President Daniel Molaodi and former Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) President, Gift Nkwe to be representatives of the sport associations in the Board of the Commission. The two candidates’ names will now be forwarded to the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture for final due process.
