New funding model to commercialise sports
The Botswana National Sport Commission ( BNSC) has recently approved the categorization of National Sport Associations ( NSAs) for the purpose of funding in the 2021/ 2022 Financial Year. However, the national sports umbrella body is still working on a New Funding Model, which will be implemented from the 2022 / 2023 financial year and beyond.
The categorizations was made on the basis of the extent of each NSA’s current contribution and potential towards assisting sport achieve its long term goals as championed in National Vision 2036 as well as the BNSC Vision 2028 goals. Pillar 1 of Vision 2036 under Sustainable development states that: “We will have a self- sustaining sport industry, producing more globally competitive sports persons, whilst BNSC vision 2028 strategy also put emphasis on advocacy for sport to be part of the priorities in the national agenda including winning five medals at the 2028 Olympics.”
Contacted for comment on the new developments, BNSC newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Tuelo Serufho highlighted the need to be consistent in terms of achievement, one of the reasons that necessitated the adoption of the new funding model. “If you look at our achievements in major competitions, we have not been consistent, there is no income in Sports, we have been giving national federations minimum funds as compared to what they need and that has not produced desired results. This is why we have come up with this
model to help national federations produce more and consistent success,” Serufho said. Sports has been a fringe player in contributing to gross domestic product in the country and the BNSC’s 2028 vision aims to increase gross value added by sports by at least 0.5 percent to become a major player in fighting unemployment.“We want to position sports to contribute significantly to national goals; we want sports to contribute to the GDP and play a significant role in sports tourism,” Serufho shared. Boxing, Athletics, Softball, Volleyball, football and Netball make up the top six ranked sports associations which are set to benefit a lion’s share of funds available for sports. Serufho stated that: “We
evaluate and make assessment to benefit sport, we want to place top ranked associations in a prime position to perform better than what they are currently producing and this will also position them better to attract the business sector and promote partnerships,” he stated. For lowly ranked national federations, Serufho noted that, for them to climb up the ranks, compliance and administrative work will be key to help them advance. He added that development has to be their immediate key area of focus.
“They must look at our long term objectives and align their goals and achievements as per our strategy. They must choose competitions to partake on wisely, given their budget,” the BNSC boss said.