The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) and the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) have been promoted to Tier 1 under the Botswana National Sport Associations Resource Allocation Scheme (BONSARAS) of the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) for the 2024/25 financial year. This elevation places them alongside established powerhouses such as the Botswana Football Association, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), and Botswana Cricket Association (BCA).
A letter from BNSC to National Sports Associations, obtained by this publication, confirms the promotion, signaling a significant increase in funding for BTTA and BTA as they join the leading high-impact sports codes in the nation.
Unlike in the past, BNSC use a new model for allocating grants on which National Sporting Associations (NSAs). This new model of grant allocation, scores National Sporting Associations (NSAs) against criteria derived from the BNSC Vision 2028 and the National Vision 2036. The higher an NSA scores, the more funding it receives.
The BNSC’s allocation criteria focus on six broad objectives: contribution of sport to society, athlete performance, hosting high-profile events, increased mass participation, enhanced national pride and unity, and social impact. The first four objectives stem from BNSC Vision 2028, while the latter two align with Vision 2036.
Last financial year, BTA was in Tier 2 and received approximately P500,000, while BTTA was in Tier 3 with a funding allocation of about P250,000. Their new Tier 1 status is expected to substantially increase their financial support.
BTTA President Kudzanani Motswagole expressed immense pride and optimism following the association’s elevation to Tier 1. “This is a tremendous achievement for table tennis in Botswana,” Motswagole stated in a recent statement. “The association has demonstrated its ability to develop talent, achieve success on the continental and global stage, and effectively manage its resources.”
He emphasised that this promotion highlights the dedication and hard work of BTTA and its athletes. “The journey from Tier 4 to the pinnacle of Botswana’s sporting hierarchy has been fueled by relentless commitment and strategic partnerships,” Motswagole noted. He acknowledged the pivotal role played by BTTA’s long-standing sponsors, Phoenix Assurance Botswana and Stag Global, as well as the significant contributions from the India High Commission, which provided scholarships for Botswana’s athletes to gain international exposure and qualifications in India.
“We are truly thankful to our sponsors and partners who have believed in us and contributed to this success,” Motswagole emphasized. “Their support has been instrumental in helping table tennis reach these heights, and we look forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration as we represent Botswana on the continental and global stage.”
The elevation to Tier 1 presents both an honor and a challenge for BTTA. As Motswagole pointed out, maintaining this status will require sustained effort and innovation. “While we should celebrate this accomplishment, it is also a call to the association to redouble its efforts. We must continue to lead by example and help drive the growth of sport in Botswana.”
BTA president Oaitse Thipe told this publication that he is yet to be comfortable to comment on his code being promoted to Tier.
In addition to BTTA and BTA, other sporting codes have also seen promotions within the BNSC framework. Basketball, badminton, and judo have advanced to Tier 2 where they join bowling, boxing, chess, golf, karate, netball, Paralympics, rugby, softball swimming and Botswana Tertiary Schools Sport Association.
Horse society and taekwondo have moved up to Tier 3 joining cycling, motor sport, professional boxing and special Olympics. Sporting codes in tier 4 are cheerleading, dance sport, darts, fencing, hockey, parachute association, squash, weightlifting, wrestling, bridge, handball and Botswana Traditional Sports and Games Confed.
Meanwhile, these changes reflect the BNSC’s strategic approach to funding and support, aiming to elevate Botswana’s sports on both continental and global stages. The tiered funding system ensures that resources are allocated based on performance, societal contribution, and strategic importance, fostering a competitive and development-oriented sports environment in the country.
