In a significant move to bolster the development of athletics in Botswana, the Ministry of Sports and Arts (MOSA) has allocated a budget of P4 million to the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA). This funding aims to establish and expand the BAA's Secretariat, providing a dedicated office space to enhance its operational capabilities.
The BAA has expressed excitement about this new arrangement, believing it will serve as a vital catalyst in their mission to promote and grow the sport of athletics across the nation.
BAA Vice President of Administration, Oabona Theetso, this week confirmed:
"The government has made that money available so that we can look at our needs and fill in the positions that we deem important. We are already working on the structure, in fact, we have drawn up the structure. What we are currently doing is costing the structure to ensure that the expenses align with the budget," he said.
"The duration of this process is supposed to be completed by March, and then we will have everything finalized. This is important so that we don’t find the BAA board operating without proper support. The office must be run by employed staff, with the board providing oversight," Theetso added.
By enhancing its Secretariat and operational capabilities, the BAA noted that they are taking important steps towards achieving a more structured and professional approach to athletics in Botswana, ultimately benefiting athletes and the sporting community as a whole.
The Botswana Athletics Association has been on the rise in recent years, emerging as the most successful sports code in Botswana. Their recent triumph at the Olympics, which saw the country securing its first gold medal, is seen as a significant milestone and the BAA view this development as a strong indicator of the potential successes that may be achieved at the upcoming 2028 Olympics
and many more years to come.
This significant development has been warmly embraced by the BAA, reflecting their commitment to advancing athletics within the country. The allocation of funds aligns perfectly with the vision of the Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, who advocates for professionalization of sports.
In a recent interview with BG SPORT, the Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng mentioned the process of the Ministry and the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) assisting the BAA to establish its secretariat. He also stated that if financial resources permit, all National Sports Associations (NSAs) would be assisted in establishing their own Secretariats to attain a certain level of independence.
The BAA has expressed excitement about this new arrangement, believing it will serve as a vital catalyst in their mission to promote and grow the sport of athletics across the nation.
BAA Vice President of Administration, Oabona Theetso, this week confirmed:
"The government has made that money available so that we can look at our needs and fill in the positions that we deem important. We are already working on the structure, in fact, we have drawn up the structure. What we are currently doing is costing the structure to ensure that the expenses align with the budget," he said.
"The duration of this process is supposed to be completed by March, and then we will have everything finalized. This is important so that we don’t find the BAA board operating without proper support. The office must be run by employed staff, with the board providing oversight," Theetso added.
By enhancing its Secretariat and operational capabilities, the BAA noted that they are taking important steps towards achieving a more structured and professional approach to athletics in Botswana, ultimately benefiting athletes and the sporting community as a whole.
The Botswana Athletics Association has been on the rise in recent years, emerging as the most successful sports code in Botswana. Their recent triumph at the Olympics, which saw the country securing its first gold medal, is seen as a significant milestone and the BAA view this development as a strong indicator of the potential successes that may be achieved at the upcoming 2028 Olympics
and many more years to come.
This significant development has been warmly embraced by the BAA, reflecting their commitment to advancing athletics within the country. The allocation of funds aligns perfectly with the vision of the Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, who advocates for professionalization of sports.
In a recent interview with BG SPORT, the Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng mentioned the process of the Ministry and the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) assisting the BAA to establish its secretariat. He also stated that if financial resources permit, all National Sports Associations (NSAs) would be assisted in establishing their own Secretariats to attain a certain level of independence.
