29 May 2013

Botswana National Olympic Committee president, Negroes Kgosietsile says for Botswana to reach international competitive standards, there is need to have well capacitated personnel with relevant knowledge.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of Botswana Swimming Sport Association Leadership and Administration course on May 28, Kgosietsile said there was also need to have volunteers who serve sport wholeheartedly to ensure proper management and administration of things.

“The nation invests money on sports so that we reap rewards in the global world, and it is our duty as sport administrators to produce good athletes,” he said.

Kgosietsile admitted that administration and management of sport is a challenge.

He encouraged participants to make well informed decisions and avoid tarnishing their associations.

The president further urged course attendants to have a strategy and a framework on talent identification that will keep them informed on their path.

Kgosietsile said as BNOC they have observed that Botswana sports lack good governance, and that they have made strides in building good governance.

He noted that sponsors, including the government, would not want to put their money where it would be wasted.

“The corporate world is eyeing us on how we do things in sports because they want value for their money,” he noted.

He said sports administrators and managers should focus on developing athletes rather than engaging athletes in competitions when they are not ready.

Course director, Steve Bothasitse said such courses offer opportunities to learn about Olympics.

“This course through BNOC offers Olympic background and values which will then be transferred to athletes,” he highlighted.

Bothasitse said after the course they expect clubs and associations to be run in a professional manner.

He applauded course participants for attending the course and BNOC for offering the course.

The course will end on Sunday, and has attracted more than 15 participants from different swimming clubs. ENDS