Sport not a playground

For the umpteenth time, the issue of athletes’ incentives returned to take unwanted limelight in recent weeks. The Zebras players recently downed tools citing poor welfare.

The amount has remained stagnant for some time, setting the players and the administrators on a collision course.

It is an old story with authorities accused of failing to ‘give and take’.

Due to the problem, some players such as Kabelo Dambe have vowed not to represent the national team again until certain issues are addressed.

The problem is not necessarily with sport association, but it is an issue that extends to the umbrella body, the Botswana National Sport Commission and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development.

In 2012, then president Ian Khama pushed for the introduction of athletes’ incentive policy.

It is a uniform policy and stipulates what is due to athletes who represent the country at different competitions.

But the rates have not been revised since 2012, with athletes arguing, it is difficult to make a living out of sport.

The few athletes who have made it in sport, have international success to thank.

Nijel Amos, Amantle Montsho and Isaac Makwala are some of the country’s prominent names who have made it through the sweat of their brow. But the cash does not come from their participation in local events.

Their counterparts still have to make do with meagre allowances. The cries for an increase in the sports budget, and to an extent, the allowances, have not yielded the desired outcome.

The athletes are often at the mercy of a system that is taking too long to revolve.

This week, the debate on incentive was ignited as athletes prepared to board the plane to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The ‘mabina go tsholwa’ syndrome has been a regular guest when a high stakes competition is on the horizon or has just taken place. The ground is fertile for attention-seeking and personal gratification at the expense of the athletes’ welfare.

The corporate sector, and even the government fight for space to be associated with the team at the tail end of proceedings. Recently, minister Tumiso Rakgare came under fire when he dangled a P20, 000 per player carrot ahead of a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Zebras and Zimbabwe. Critics argued, the money could have been ploughed into preparations.

The latest concern over the Choppies pledge, where the company has promised up to P1 million cash reward, has been seen as a ‘mileage-seeking’ stunt. These concerns over allowances and the incentives will rage on as long as there is no sober debate. Without honest discussions, sport will remain a playground, with athletes, sadly, being the ball.