Sports federations sign transformaton agreements

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula has received signed transformation agreements from the major sporting codes and is confident that other agreements will be signed soon. Image: GCIS

Mbalula said he had already received transformation plans from the South African Rugby Union (Saru), South African Football Association (Safa) and Cricket SA, while he was expecting to receive the transformation plan from Athletics South Africa on Tuesday (9 September).

He was speaking to reporters at the announcement of a partnership with Milo - a Nestle brand - as the official sponsor of the School Sport Programme.

"We are few months away from signing the national agreement on transformation, so I'm not only optimistic, I'm over the moon about the progress we are making when it comes to transforming South African sport.

Federations are expected to reintroduce racial quotas, requiring that a certain number of 'players of colour' are included in the national teams.

Mbalula discounts Afri-Forum threats

Regarding Afri-Forum's move to approach the International Court to halt the transformation agenda in sport in the country, Mbalula said: "Those who want to go to the International Court and want to stall the transformation process, can go. We are on track and within the trajectory of a developmental state and transforming society."

He said should sporting federations not implement the transformation agreement, there will be consequences but did not outline what those consequences are.

Meanwhile, the School Sport Programme is underway and aims to develop football and netball skills of school-going children under the age of 13. The programme, which started in January this year, aims to reach 15,000 learners across the country by December this year.

Basic Education Director for Sport, Arts and Culture, Nozimpho Xulu, said they were committed to working together, in terms of getting children to participate in sports.

"We are really committed to getting the number of schools that are in the rural areas and townships to make an impact under this programme.

Nestle South Africa Business Manager for Dairy, Mpho Toolo, said: "This partnership strengthens our commitment to promoting active and balanced lifestyles among children and will enable us to create an awareness about the importance of physical activity and good nutrition at an early age."