05 Dec 2023

Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) officials have expressed concern about the poor state of Maun Sports Complex.

They said the dilapidated facility needed attention as it was used by athletes for training.

They aired their views during the Re Ba Bona Ha sports festival over the weekend at the facility.

BNSC board representative, Geoffrey Gare said the facility needed to be prioritised in terms of maintenance.

“We need to prioritise this facility as BNSC board, affiliates, district leadership and the local sport fraternity,” he said, adding that he had engaged the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president and that they toured the facility.

Gare said they would see how they could help in terms of resource allocation because the facility was used to develop athletes in the region through various programmes such as Re Ba Bona Ha and the newly launched Football for Schools initiative.

He emphasised the need to first improve the artificial turf, which was badly damaged and the running track.

Gare also appreciated that representatives from various sport codes who attended the festival had seen the facility.

BAA president, Moses Bantsi also concurred that the stadium was in a bad state and that it required urgent attention.  “We need to follow the issue as sporting fraternity representatives and see if the facility can be renovated in the next financial year,” he said, adding that it has to meet international standards.

Bantsi also revealed that they planned to stage athletics competitions in Maun and that they had active clubs in the area.

Some district leaders had also long complained about the poor state of the facility, saying it needed major maintenance.

Thamalakane South councillor, Othaile Molamu recently urged relevant authorities to renovate the facility during the launch of the Football for Schools initiative.  

The festival attracted children from Maun and surrounding villages to engage in disciplines such as athletics, basketball, chess, judo, karate, netball and tennis. Ends