E12.3M FOR SPORTS!

LOBAMBA – The national sports budget has finally surpassed the E10 million mark. The Swaziland National Sports and Recreation Council is set to receive an increased E12.3 million from the National Budget Estimates tabled by Minister of Finance, Martin Dlamini in Parliament yesterday. This is an increase of about E4.9 million from last year’s E7.4 million budget.

While the revised budget is a welcome change for the associations, the extra money will mainly benefit Team Swaziland in what will be a busy year.  On top of next month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the country is expected to send a bigger contingent to the Region V Under-20 Youth Games in Botswana, December this year.

Minister of Sports, Culture and Young Affairs David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, welcomed the increased budget, saying it was a challenge to the sports associations to deliver results. “There are a lot of international games this year, so the money will come in handy. We still expect part of the money to be diverted towards development,” said the minister.

Some officials within the SNSRC also welcomed the adjustments, but were quick to clarify that the extra money was mainly for covering costs for the international assignments. Chief Executive Officer, Darius Dlomo’s phone was apparently switched off when sought for comment.

Some association’s representatives in random interviews were equally impressed. “Government’s continued support is commendable. It’s an encouragement for the private to come on board, as there is currently a scramble for the limited resources,” said Swaziland National Darts Association (SNDA) Secretary, Phumlani Ndwandwe, who was shortlisted for the past year’s National Sports Awards.

Pearl Dlamini, National Olympic Committee Vice President, who also leads the Swaziland Boxing Association, expressed hope that the money would mainly be used for the development of programmes. “We need to focus on development of coaches, referees and judges. We also need to invest in the youth. We thank their Majesties for the increased budget,” she said.
A separate amount of about E4 million, on the other hand, has been set aside for the Somhlolo lights.

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