It is 'crucial' that leading SA sport associations work together

Speaking at the inaugural Sport Industry Summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, Safa chief executive Robin Petersen said that while the three sporting codes were competitors on a certain level, it was crucial for them to work together.

Stakeholders attended the Sport Industry Summit with the goal of improving South African sport through collaboration between its leading codes and role players. Petersen said it was critical that sport associations have those discussions. "The more we can learn, and the more we can help each other to be successful with our national teams, the better it will be for the country." He added that the three organisations have control over incredibly important national institutions who serve to "regulate how the country feels about itself."

Addressing challenges related to transformation, Petersen said SA football faces different challenges to rugby and cricket. While they are trying to transform and become more inclusive in terms of bringing black players onboard, "we are the opposite. We have to look at how (to) keep white, Indian and coloured South Africans engaged (and involved) in the sport, and (how we can increase) their participation in the sport." Among the topics discussed were sport sponsorship, marketing, the hosting of major events and communication, iAfrica.com reports.

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