08 Oct 2023

Talks are at advanced stage for the return of school sports by January next year, says Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare.

Speaking during President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s kgotla meeting in Bobonong on October 5, Rakgare said the ministry was consulting with relevant stakeholders with a view of bringing back school sports in January.

“We have met with teachers through their trade unions and we are meeting again this coming Monday. I have requested that we do all in our powers that school sports return January next year,” the minister said and promised to deliver on the target.

He said the ministry together with stakeholders were hard at work ensuring that all the pertinent matters were ironed out so that students could start enjoying school sports as a form of entertainment and a launchpad to some thriving careers.

School sports were suspended about four years back owing to budgetary constraints cited by government. Now, the minister promised that he would pull all stops to ensure that sports returned.

Meanwhile, the minister said that completion of Bobonong Sports facility was lagging behind. The facility which was constructed in three phases, now in the second phase, could have long been completed, but the company doing works such as laying of artificial turf on the football pitch, construction of courts and athletics track, BWX Link Holding, has reportedly paused activity at the site.

“This is where we currently are,” said Rakgare referring to the impasses between the employer and the contractor.

“Your Member of Parliament asked a question on the same on the floor of parliament and I responded. Ask him about the contractor who is holding us at ransom,” said the minister.

Comparatively, the minister said Heidi Dea Holdings, a company that constructed perimeter wall, kiosks, ablution blocks and ticket sales booths at a cost of P5 million delivered the project on time.

Described as honest and active, the contractor has never given the ministry a torrid time, according to minister Rakgare. ENDS