Botswana athletes were put on a monthly stipend by the state for qualifying to participate in the Paris Olympic Games.

Sports Journalist, Solomon Kakuwa, revealed on JoySports Game Plan on Friday that all the athletes who qualified for the Olympics in the French city were put on $615 monthly stipend by the state.

A statement presented on the floor of Parliament by the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports, and Culture, Mr Tumiso M. Ragkare, of which JoySports has a copy described the financial support as "monthly upkeep stipend."

All nine athletes who qualified also received qualification bonus of about $2,500 and appearance fee of about $400.

Mr Ragkare explained the reason for the financial motivation, saying, "As Botswana Government, we have identified sport and the creative sector as one of the eight priority areas of transforming our economy."

The Botswana government has already given Letsile Tebogo a four-bedroom house in a place of his choice, and he could receive financial cash rewards from various institutions amounting to around $260,000.

His groceries for the 12 months has been catered for.

Tebogo could an additional house if Botswana 4×400m relay team makes a podium finish on Saturday night.

The Game Plan team questioned the government of Ghana's commitment to the development of sports and sportsmen following the revelation.

The team unanimously agreed that the athletes at least, deserved some financial for qualifying for the competition.

The athletes were rather owed per diems dating back to Penn and Bahamas relays, as well as the African Athletics Seniors Championships in Douala.