05 Dec 2013

Parliament has adjourned to a later date the debate on the Botswana National Sports Council Bill as per Parliament standing order 54(1).

The standing order reads, “A member, who has a reason to speak on a question proposed by the speaker in the assembly, may move without notice that the debate may be adjourned.” 
 The adjournment was proposed by Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao on the contention that Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture did not consult with the relevant parliament youth, sports and culture committee for Bill scrutiny before presenting it to the National Assembly.


He said the Bill does not clearly demonstrate without ambiguity the role of all three sports governing bodies being Botswana National Olympic Council, Botswana Sports Council and department of sports and highlighted that the duties of the governing bodies should be well defined.
 He indicated that the merger between Botswana Sports Council and department of sports is long overdue, to avoid previous disputes between the two bodies in terms of duty responsibilities and athletes affiliations. 


The Tonota North legislator is of the view that there is nothing much that the Bill has changed in terms of mapping a way forward towards professionalising sports in the country.

“The only significant change that the Bill addresses is the change from Botswana National Sports Council to Botswana National Sports Commission,” he said.
Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi also advocated for the adjournment of the Bill on the grounds of minimal consultation with relevant stakeholders. He said the Bill should also be amended to include the issue of appointment of BNSC’s chief executive officer. The CEO, he said should not be appointed by the Minister as it the current practice.


The BNSC Bill presented to Parliament by the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture on Monday, among other things, is aimed at expounding the role of the envisaged BNSC whilst simultaneously clarifying its relationship with the Botswana National Olympic Committee and promotes the participation of vulnerable groups such as women and people living with disabilities in sport.
The Bill also addressed issues relating to anti-doping as a signatory to the UNESCO convention against doping in sport. ENDS