The organisation of South African sport is set to undergo major restructuring aimed at streamlining responsibilities of stakeholders and improving the potential for success in high performance sport, according to a statement by the Department of Sport and Recreation on Tuesday.
This follows the outcome of an investigation into high performance sport and its impact on sport generally, by a Ministerial Task Team appointed in December 2000 by the Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour.
A proposed two-tier system for governance of sport and recreation in the country will result in a fully-fledged government department and a non-governmental sports confederation. These structures will take responsibility for all levels of sport, including mass participation and high performance. This will include the establishment of a national sports academy incorporating existing provincial academies.
Balfour and the Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi have been tasked to oversee the restructuring of the national government department for sport and recreation while the proposed confederation will include the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa), Disability Sport South Africa, the SA Commonwealth Games Association, the South African Students Sports Union and the United Schools Sports Association of South Africa.
Elements of the South African Sports Commission and Sport and Recreation South Africa are also likely to be included in the confederation.
Cabinet has given the plan its approval and Balfour will consult with the Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel to consider the costs on the establishment and sustainability of the proposed national academy. The plan has the complete support of all stakeholder organisations in sport and a process will now be put in place to give effect to it.
Balfour expressed his appreciation to the Ministerial Task Team and the Implementation Task Team (for their work in finalising the plan that is set to lead South African sport into the future.
”Much consultation and hard work has gone into this plan,” said Balfour.
”I am really grateful to all those individuals and organisations who sacrificed their time, effort and even resources in drafting this plan. I am especially pleased that all macro bodies have given it their full approval. The winners of this cooperation between sports bodies will be the young sportsmen and sportswomen of our country.”
The Ministerial Task Team reports will now be publicly released with working groups appointed to oversee the establishment of the proposed confederation and the national academy. Widespread consultations on a cooperation agreement have been held between all the relevant stakeholders and will be signed shortly. Balfour will also present an implementation programme for consideration when the agreement is signed.
It is envisaged that the new system of governance for sport and recreation will be on track by April 2005. – Sapa