09 Jul 2015

Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has furnished five of its affiliates with vehicles that will assist in the day to day duties of the sport codes.

The Toyota Hilux vans purchased at a value of P1 million with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture have been donated to athletics, netball, softball, volleyball and tennis sport codes.

Handing over the vehicles on Tuesday, Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng said he was hopeful that the vehicles would facilitate affiliates to position themselves to deliver the agenda of sport with more diligence.

“In order to sustain our competitiveness we recognise that grassroots development is paramount and those potential athletes in the grassroots are not found in towns only but also in the country side,” he said.

The minister said as the nation accelerates its drive to the implementation of Vision 2028, more resources are needed.

However, he said the plan is to keep increasing fleet and also urged sport codes to use the vehicles with diligence.

Minister Olopeng said following the employment of Sport development officers there was realisation that affiliates are expected to travel the country to nurture talent and also develop and implement sport development programs.

The minister encouraged affiliates to drive the new vehicles safely and take care of them so that they contribute to programme development for years to come.

For his part, Botswana Volleyball Federation president, Daniel Molaodi thanked the ministry and BNSC for finding it fit to assist sport codes. He added that transport is a key resource needed to deliver results and produce world class events.

Molaodi said affiliates are facing a challenge due to government reducing sports grants which he said disadvantages them as the inflation is growing.

Nevertheless, he stated that they were grateful for the donation and would try by all means to find alternative ways to augment grants from government. Ends