Sport in doldrums
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday February 5, 2021 10:30
It is almost a year since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of sports activities. The impact has been devastating with athletes’ livelihoods disrupted. The government recently announced the suspension of football activities, further throwing sport into turmoil.
The ball is now at the doorstep of sport mother body, the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) and sport leadership to steer the unsteady ship. Eyes are also on the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development’s (MYSC) permanent secretary, Kago Ramokate who has served under four ministers; Shaw Kgathi, Thapelo Olopeng, Tshekedi Khama and now Tumiso Rakgare. An injection of new minds is needed, argue some BNSC affiliates.
The other eye is on the BNSC secretariat, if there is indeed personnel fit for purpose. The argument is that the BNSC should draw up interventions without waiting for the government, while the sport Ministry should be responsible for formulating a policy tailormade for conditions which sports finds itself in. An urgent sports Pitso will not be a bad idea, and a committee on how to return to action should have long been put together.
Sport codes are badly affected and they cannot proceed in the absence of a clear cut plan. The Botswana Netball Association (BONA) secretary-general, Ntebo Maplanka said it was difficult to plan under COVID-19 conditions. She said sport just like the entertainment industry is under siege.
“Currently all our remaining funds that we had planned to use for renovations to comply with protocols, have been taken by MYSC. The challenge is that there is no consultation when decisions are made. I agree that COVID-19 cases are rising and we have many deaths. It would most definitely be expensive for teams and associations to test before
games, but I believe that it is time, National Sport Associations (NSA) are called to the table for a tête-à-tête on how to conduct activities, especially the so-called contact sport,” Maplanka said.
Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) president, Mothokomedi Thabano said it was clear that there is no plan for sport to return to action. “We really have no idea what is happening. Our federation sponsorships are on the line, but our leadership is quiet so I guess it is high time someone came up with ideas for the leadership. Why can’t they give us P300,000 and engage a Grandmaster coaches online so that there is progress when the pandemic subsides. We would also need P400,000 for equipment and other associated needs such as data and training software. I know that there are no funds, but sport would be dead soon. School sport task team was set up but there is no report,” Thabano said.
Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) president, Keorapetse Setlhare said Botswana is struggling financially unlike countries like South Africa and others in Europe. He said it was not difficult to understand why sport activities are suspended.
“For a football match to be played, there is need for COVID-19 tests to be conducted and that attracts a lot of money. I think moving forward, NSAs strategic plans are coming to an end so I guess as a mitigation plan, COVID-19 should be included. Contact sport should plan most of their activities online but others you talking of resources where players should be tested,” Setlhare said.
He said BOTESSA technical committee is engaged to panel beat their plan so that they could run some activities online. He said his federation has been doing well compared to other association. He said they have been running coaching clinics, administration courses and an affiliates webinar was also held. Setlhare said activities should go on rather than to fold arms due to COVID-19. Botswana Wrestling Federation (BWF) president, Moagi Sharp shared the same sentiments that sport does not have a plan of action. He said as contact sport they do not know the way forward.
“We were given better grants this financial year because we had to comply with COVID-19 protocols. However, we would not benefit from them because there are no activities and the government would be taking back those grants in March. We had planned to secure equipment
with our grants and for us we have purchased a wrestling ring. We need activities in order to keep athletes fit,” Sharp said. For his part, BISA president, Joshua Gaotlhobogwe said they are still waiting for the Ministry of Basic Education to lift the suspension on school sport. Tshepang Tshube, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sport Science at the University of Botswana, argues the suspension of sport is not sustainable. He said it was difficult to see how the suspension fits a strategic long-term plan. “It is just a suspension, and the worst part is that there has not been social support provided to athletes along with the suspension. Sport should follow COVID-19 protocols and continue. And this has a significant impact in athletes livelihoods but the sport leadership does not care,” Tshupe said.