Government ready to assist in infrastructure - PM
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MBABANE – Government is considering various options to regain the sports fraternity’s trust and uplift the industry in the country.
The Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini said they had already instructed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs to work on this programme. He said government would fund it, together with its development partners. The premier said this on Thursday during the Editors Forum Breakfast Meeting. Dlamini had invited the public to send questions that he would answer during the breakfast meeting and he did as promised. The questions were supposed to be sent through his official Facebook page, under the hash-tag #AsthePM.
The premier tackled one question related to sports which was sent by Former Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Brand and Marketing Manager Lindelwa ‘Malindi’ Dlamini, who enquired if government had plans to increase the funding of sports in the country. He also wanted to know about government’s willingness to assist with the international required infrastructure for genuine competence on the international stage.
“We have given the task to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs to develop a national development plan to uplift the sports industry in the country. Once that programme is done, government will definitely fund part of that programme and we’re going to look for development partners to fund that programme,” Dlamini said.
He further emphasised on creative ways to strengthen sports. He said the ministry would work hand-in-hand with Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC) and relevant
“Government is expected to partially fund this programme as it does not have adequate funds. To fill up that gap, the country’s international development partners are expected to, as he believed that it would be a viable project,” he added.
Meanwhile, ‘Malindi’ when reacting to the PM’s response said the programme would be a step in the right direction.
“A commitment from His Majesty’s government is a step in the right direction and all I can say is let’s forget the tried and tested, and start thinking outside the box as we develop this programme,” Dlamini said.
Worth noting is that the national programme adds to other government tools aimed at uplifting sports in the country. These are the Sports Policy and Sports Bill, which are yet to pass the test of Parliament. stakeholders.