School, women’s sport dragging

T0P MARKS: TO CRICKET, SOCCER, NETBALL AND RUGBY

‘After more than 23 years, there is light at end of the transformation tunnel.’

W hile government is satisfied with some of the progress made in recent years, Sport and Recreation Minister Tokozile Xasa says there are multiple areas of concern which still need to be addressed as part of a long-term transformation process.

According to the annual report by Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on transformation in sport yesterday, school sport required more attention, as well as increased participation levels and the development of women’s sport.

There were, however, areas which had shown significant improvement, Xasa said. “We are encouraged by areas where we have made the most transformation: the election of black representatives to various sports boards.”

While most national federations had achieved targets which had been agreed upon with government, the report revealed that some codes were still lagging.

Of the 19 federations audited by the EPG, only nine had achieved 50% or more of prescribed targets. They include cricket, football, netball and rugby.

SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said: “Rugby is continuing to succeed in the transformation process and we’re pleased with the outcomes of the EPG report.”

Athletics, which had previously been criticised by the EPG for failing to provide necessary data, was the only one of the top five codes which achieved 30% or less.

Areas which were considered as part of the scorecard, based on a new transformation charter, included access, skills and capacity development, demographics, performance, contribution to government priorities, and good governance.

According to the report, the general quality of data collection and reliability had improved over the past five years, resulting in a more solid foundation for transformation. But more resources were required to ensure progress in certain areas.

EPG member Willie Basson said: “After more than 23 years, there is light at the end of the transformation tunnel. The biggest challenges are in the areas of school sport and black African representation.”

Though quotas had repeatedly caused controversy both on and off the field in the past two decades, sport and recreation director-general Alec Moemi insisted targets remained crucial to ensure black players were ultimately selected on merit.

“What we are truly engaged in is a reform process which is more gradual than rapid,” Moemi said.