08 Mar 2015

Specially Elected MP, Dr Unity Dow, has asked government to build a stadium in Mochudi.

Contributing to debate on the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture budget proposal for the 2015/16 financial year on March 5, she said she could not understand why there was no stadium in Mochudi.

Youth, sports and culture minister, Mr Thapelo Olopeng tabled his ministry’s P878.8 million budget estimates. “Next time a new stadium is built Mochudi should be at the top of the agenda,” said Dr Dow, also Minister of Education and Skills Development.

She said a healthy number of sports teams in Mochudi justify her request for building of a stadium there. She also pleaded with the minister to consider funding completion of a community park in Mochudi, which is being constructed by the Kgatleng District Development Foundation (KDDF).

She said KDDF has run out of funds, hence the need for assistance. Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy said the ministry is too big, suggesting that Culture be moved to ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

He said youth is a big constituency and empowering and investing in them would bring both short term and long term benefits to the country.

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) legislator further said he has some misgivings about constituency tournaments because they are not well monitored.

He said something must be done to stop youth in constituency tournaments teams from spending prize monies on alcohol.

However, Bobonong MP Mr Shaw Kgathi said constituency tournaments are run smoothly in his constituency. He said teams in the constituency use money wisely, buying equipment and starting small business projects. He asked the minister to consider building of stadium in Bobonong.

Mogoditshane MP, Mr Sedirwa Kgoroba, said constituency tournaments should be discontinued because they are a waste of money. “They are not a sports development programme, but just an entertainment programme. They have no laid down objectives focused on achieving any development in sports,” he said.

Mr Kgoroba said participants of constituency tournaments are drawn by money instead of desire for perfecting their skills so that they could advance in their field. The MP said proper development structures should be put in place so that sports can grow in Botswana.

Tati West MP, Mr Biggie Butale, on the other hand applauded strides that have been made concerning youth development, but advised that focus should now be turned on using scientific methods to catch up with modern trends.

Molepolole South MP, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli, complained about the government internship programme, saying it is used to abuse graduates. He claimed that companies no longer employ, opting instead to use interns as cheap labour.

Kanye South MP, Mr Abram Kesupile, asked the minister to provide an update on the project to build a stadium in Kanye. ENDS