Volunteer culture hinders sports industry growth, says Business of Sport Summit founder

Bonni Dintwa, founder of the Business of Sport Summit, stated that relying on volunteer labor prevents local sports associations from realizing their commercial potential. Speaking at the inaugural summit launch in Gaborone, Dintwa emphasized the need for professional administration to transform sport into a sustainable economic sector that can attract investment, create jobs, and contribute to the country's GDP. He referenced insights from Cuban sports officials, highlighting that successful sports industries cannot be built solely on volunteer efforts. Dintwa questioned the effectiveness of managing organizations responsible for millions of pula on a part-time, volunteer basis, arguing that this approach deters potential investors and sponsors. He noted that the private sector's reluctance to increase sports spending stems from a lack of policies and structures that demonstrate measurable returns on investment.