The Botswana National Olympic Committee has seen its funding reduced ©BNOC

The President of the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), Botsanag Tshenyego, has expressed concerns over the organisation's financial position because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but insisted it has a plan to cope.

Speaking at the BNOC General Assembly, he said that the grant given to the organisation from the Government has greatly decreased in recent years, resulting in cuts, Botswana Daily News reported.

On top of that, the ongoing pandemic has caused more peril for the BNOC.

Tshenyego said: "In response, BNOC Board has come up with a comprehensive plan to enhance its ability to mobilise resources from outside Government and create better value for its stakeholders."

The President claimed to have looked into ways that BNOC could not only contribute to sport in Botswana, but the well-being of the nation as a whole, as well as speaking of BNOC's environmental goals going forward.

Tshenyego praised the organisation for its work developing and assisting coaches, medical personnel and administrators, but accepted COVID-19 had had an impact on activities.

Tuelo Serufho has predicted the nation may send more women than men to an Olympic Games for the first time ©BNOC
Tuelo Serufho has predicted the nation may send more women than men to an Olympic Games for the first time ©BNOC

Some have been put on hold due to the pandemic.

Tuelo Serufho, BNOC chief executive, told the General Assembly that any athletes already qualified and selected for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will keep their spots, despite the Games being postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic.

With four women among the five Botswana athletes to have already qualified for Tokyo 2020, Serufho predicted the nation may send more women than men to an Olympic Games for the first time.

"It is the first time in the history of Botswana sport that we have qualified a female Boxer to the Olympic Games," Serufho added, in reference to Keamogetse Kenosi.