08 Jul 2021

Over P3.5 million was spent under the COVID-19 Relief Programme in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development to pay athletes’ allowances.

Minister Tumiso Rakgare informed Parliament on Wednesday  that a total of 889 athletes were covered over a period of three months (April, May and June) last year.

Mr Rakgare said the purpose of the relief programme was to cushion selected clubs and athletes against the adverse effects of COVID-19. Besides, the programme was open to football (Premier League and First Division) and professional athletes across all sporting codes.

He said the Olympic-bound Team Botswana members continued to receive allowances at the rate of P8 333.34 per month.

He said the ministry did not have a special funding programme for COVID-19. 

As such, sport was funded under the normal Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) annual government subvention. He stated that the Relief Fund was a once off assistance programme financed from savings realised at the time.

 

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister if  top professional sporting codes were assisted with allowances during the difficult COVID-19 times and if they were funded through sports fund programmes. ENDS