BNSC role in Olympic preparations questioned

Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics games, there has reportedly been a discord after the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) was relieved responsibility to take charge of funds allocation for the Olympics games despite being the sole custodian of Olympics games in Botswana and provider of the technical advice and assistance.

To date, some associations have expressed their displeasure and concerns over the structure that has been adopted and there are fears that Botswana will send the lowest number of athletes to Paris compared to the previous recent games.

The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC), Chief Executive Officer Tuelo Serufho has however confirmed to this publication that preparations for the games is set to begin following their engagement with BNOC on disbursing funds to assist athletes to qualify and compete at the games. Serufho further highlighted that, some affiliates have already benefitted.

Secretariats of BNSC and BNOC engaged for purposes of ranking sports/disciplines for funding consideration towards Paris 2024 Olympic Games, via Accra 2023 African Games. 'The exercise resulted in a consideration of three (3) options, determined by costing, with the 1st option tied to the current available funds allocated for Games.

National Sport Associations, per sport, and those prioritized under Option 1 have since received assistance to compete in Olympic qualifiers. Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) were assisted to send a team to attend the African qualifiers in Senegal, whilst Botswana Football Association’s [BFA] Women Football Team (The Mares) were recently assisted in the Olympic Games qualifiers against Tanzania. Botswana Volleyball Federation Men’s Beach Volleyball Team are currently in Mozambique to compete in the Olympic Qualifiers, and have been supported accordingly,” Serufho outlined.

In the previous arrangement, money for preparations was normally disbursed to the BNOC who in turn made plans for preparations. “We are left with a few months to the games, with BNOC we understand, they might have a plan but without finances there is nothing they can do. The model (new funding structure) will not work, why BNOC can’t be given the autonomy to run issues concerning Olympic sports, BNSC are just policy developers and implementers, they are not operational like BNOC and the affiliates. Right now some affiliates have submitted their plans and these things take time so they will have to wait but time waits for no man,” a source close to the developments shared.

BoBA has confirmed to this publication that they have sent their plan to BNOC as they look to once more secure a slot at the games next year.

The local boxing mother-body has already failed to impress at the continental qualifying games in Senegal where all the five (5) boxers could not hit the needed performances to make it to Paris.

The next two opportunities for local boxers to qualify for the games are billed for Italy from the 29th of February to 12th March in 2024 and Bangkok, Thailand from the 23rd May to 3rd June 2024.

“We continue to engage with relevant authorities and we are hopeful that we will be assisted before long which could really help us in our preparations. From our side, we have already sent our plan to the BNOC so we are waiting to hear from them,” said the Secretary General of BoBA, Taolo Tlouetsile.

He expressed confidence that BoBA could possibly get some of their athletes to qualify as they have enough talent but he stressed the importance of getting support to prepare.

In just 246 days, the world’s top athletes will converge in the city of France, Paris as the 2024 Olympic Games takes center stage and Botswana is expected to grace the multi-sporting event, with the national pride at stake.