The DA calls on the chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on sports, arts and culture, Beauty Dlulane, to request that the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) appear before Parliament as a matter of urgency. The opposiion party is calling for SASCOC to brief Parliament on Team South Africa’s Olympic performance this year and detail its preparation plan and financial model for the Games in Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028 to turn things around and to support current and future Olympians.

This comes after SASCOC made a U-turn on its decision to offer no rewards for the Olympic medalists Tatjana Schoenmaker, who won gold and silver, and Bianca Buitendag, who won silver, for bringing the nation glory at the Tokyo Games. It has been a long-standing tradition that South Africa’s Olympic medalists receive remuneration from SASCOC following the Games.

 Tsepo Mhlongo DA Shadow Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture said the whole debacle highlights the challenges within SASCOC in terms of sports development, financial management as well as support for athletes. South Africa’s performance at this year’s Olympics wasn’t on par with our previous performances, however, we should recognise the conditions under which our athletes had to train and prepare for the Games due to the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown regulations and travel restrictions.

More so the DA says that the reality is that neither these Olympians, nor any other athletes, are to blame for SASCOC’s dire financial straits and they should not be penalised for it. SASCOC has only itself to blame for its mismanagement. There is constant infighting, instability, politicking and political influence by the Minister for Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, who is quick to nit-pick but remains severely out of touch and has done little for sports development in his 8 years in this Ministry. SASCOC hasn’t been run independently or efficiently in a really long time, and the DA can only assume that this dysfunction is the reason there is scant monetary or other support for athletes – which is evident by Team South Africa’s performances during the recent Games in Tokyo.

It is time SASCOC revealed their plan to develop sports in South Africa from grassroots levels to international quality athletes that do South Africa proud – much like Schoenmaker and Buitendag have done during these Games. While SASCOC can claim no part in these medalists’ glory, the next generation of athletes must be able to rely on SASCOC for their full support and development, otherwise the Committee holds no right to exist and siphon vital funds away from athletes who would otherwise benefit greatly from it.

 Mhlongo concluded by saying South Africa has a strong and proud sporting history. One which not only tells the story of talented and world-class athletes, but also one of reconciliation and nation-building. " We are proud of Team South Africa for their perseverance despite the difficulties they faced."