OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Tuesday 4.15pm.
SPORTS Minister Ngconde Balfour has sided with the South African men’s hockey team in its battle against the National Olympic Committee of South Africa to get to the Sydney Games.
Balfour spoke in Parliament on the eve of the decision by the International Olympic Committee whether to uphold or reject an appeal by South Africa’s hockey fraternity to see the men’s team compete at the Games.
Nocsa chief Sam Ramsamy will be present at the three-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro. The men’s hockey team met the IOC’s qualification criteria by becoming African champions last year, but was told by Nocsa that they could not participate in the Games because they aren’t good enough to finish in the top-nine, and because the team is too white.
Balfour said in Parliament that the “hockey situation” is unacceptable.
The minister said that sportspeople who have worked hard to qualify for the Olympics have to be allowed to compete. Balfour said that he is talking with Nocsa to ensure that the matter is cleared up.
In April, the South African Hockey Association appealed directly to the IOC, a move which caused Nocsa to claim that it is the only body with authority over the team.
The IOC, however, disagreed and said that the case is worthy of inspection. The International Hockey Federation has also backed the team and has urged Nocsa to reverse its ruling.