What’s the rush now, Mr Minister?

Sports Minister Thulas Nxesi left us puzzled this week when he lifted the ban on rugby, cricket and netball federations to go ahead with their plans to bid for and host major international events.

Nxesi’s predecessor Fikile Mbalula had revoked the rights from the three bodies owing to lack of transformation in their structures.

The federations were told to go back and meet the targets, with more emphasis on “generic black”.

In revealing the findings and the recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on transformation in SA sport this week, Nxesi highlighted that “there is still lots of work to do, [and] the lack of facilities at black schools leaves a lot to be desired”.

We wonder how netball, cricket and rugby have suddenly attained a pass mark when the debate on lack of transformation still rages on within their corridors.

Is Nxesi content with the status quo or he is just happy to host major international events when SA is also facing serious economical challenges?

He kind of contradicted his address of sports federations heads last month. “It is so important that we do thorough research before rushing to take action. I want to study the research and I want to talk to people before I start making any pronouncements on transformation.”

We felt he rushed given that the the minister was 39-days-old on the job when he released the report on Tuesday.

He needed more time, more so when our country shouldn’t be bidding for major events during these trying economic times.