Green light for SA sporting codes to bid for international tournaments
Minister of Sport and Recreation Thulas Nxesi has reinstated Cricket South Africa (CSA), Netball South Africa and the South African Rugby Union (SARU)'s rights to bid for major events.
His predecessor Fikile Mbalula revoked the privileges of four major sporting federations, including Athletics South Africa (ASA), to host or bid to stage any major international events in the country due to their failure to meet their transformation targets.
Despite this, South Africa has officially been announced as one of the candidates to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"The right of this federation to bid for and host international tournaments in the Republic, as was imposed before, is immediately reinstated," says Nxesi.
Nxesi released the latest on the Transformation Barometer scores, saying SARU, CSA and Netball South Africa met the 50 percent target.
"They all met their 50 percent target. There is no soft approach there. That was what was agreed with my predecessor, so they have met the targets," says Nxesi.
ASA, however, has not had its rights reinstated.
"Athletics SA, you have presented us with a dilemma. Your score against the targets you set for yourselves is again less than 50 percent. And yet the department senses that things are improving under new leadership. And of course you made South Africa proud by the performance of your athletes in Rio," said Nxesi.
Nxesi says that the problem is that ASA didn't provide data in a number of categories.
"This points to a lack of systems and poor structures and governance in the code. My department will work with you to address these challenges," says Nxesi.
Nxesi says of particular concern is the lack of data in relation to club and school athletics.
"I am therefore issuing a directive to Athletics SA to directly exercise control over the South African Schools Athletics Association (SASAA) with the intention of strengthening governance, accountability, alignment, and the organisation of competitions and identification of talent - in other words strengthening the skills pipeline from the schooling sector. You also need to work closely with the EPG to provide the necessary data for 2016/17," says Nxesi.
Meanwhile, Nxesi commended the South African Football Association (SAFA), but urged them to increase their presence in schools.
"Indeed, my predecessor issued a directive for SAFA to take over control of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) - with a view to greatly expanding the presence of football in schools, and aligning competition structures and age-grades across the system," says Nxesi.
Nxesi says he is aware that the issue has been the subject of a legal wrangle.
"The court issued an interim judgement calling upon the two bodies - SAFA and SASFA - to endeavour to find each other. My department has not been informed of any progress in implementing the judgement. I am therefore directing SAFA to initiate the process of implementing the judgement forthwith. If third party mediation is required, my department remains ready to provide assistance."