23 Nov 2016

Government has developed an Incentives Policy for national team players as per Presidential Directive CAB 7 (B)/2012.

Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila said in Parliament that athletes were therefore paid appearance fees, monthly allowances and medical insurance with permanent disability cover and death cover among others.

He said there were various sport scholarships which are offered to outstanding athletes who are placed at reputable sport institutions and academies so that they can receive targeted professional training.
“Athletes are supported through Botswana National Sport Commission and Botswana National Olympic Committee programmes like the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship, Olympic Solidarity Continental

Grant, Elite Scholarship fund and the Zebra Athletes Fund. There is also a mentorship programme for elite athletes and continuous welfare education,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Mzwinila said the incentive package for national team players catered for monthly allowances, appearance fees and performances related rewards at regional, continental and international level competitions.

He however, noted that as per the Cabinet Directive, not all sport codes were given allowances when there were no competitions, while only football and volleyball players are paid monthly allowances even when the nation team is not in camp.

He said athletes and officials were given allowances of US$20 and US$30 per day at regional and international level respectively and that in some instances athletes are given allowances as per the programme they are enrolled in, like the Olympic Solidarity scholarship.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state the support given to Botswana athletes who compete at international level, and how government supported them after competitions to ensure professionalism in the sport.

He had also wanted the minister to state the allowance they receive when competing at international level and when there were no competitions.BOPA