SA swimmers left high and dry
International swimming champion Minke Janse van Rensburg (15) from George and other top South African Down syndrome athletes are being denied the chance to defend their titles at the world championship Trisome Games at the end of March. This, regardless of their families offering to pay the defaulting sport body's debt, as well as raise funds to sponsor diverse South African teams to compete in the event regarded as the "Olympic Games" for athletes with Down syndrome.
All of this was to no avail, as Minke and her co-athletes will be staying home when the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation (DSISO) Trisome Games in Turkey takes place from 31 March to 7 April.
The South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired (Sasa-II) is up to its neck in debt, and refusing to send any teams overseas. No national teams have been selected and individual entries are not allowed. Sasa-II is officially affiliated to DSISO.
DSISO technical director Carla Cardoso said the organisation does not allow registration of
I suggest that the country organise itself and take only the [national] swimming team.
The debt to the international Down syndrome body is a fraction of the R950 000 total debt load that Sasa-II president Ronnie Mohlabi claims is outstanding."
Haves and have-nots
But, Sasa-II is refusing to enter a privately funded national team. Mohlabi said the sport body is not in favour of self-funding, as it is not in the best interest of Sasa-II that only the "haves" participate internationally, to the exclusion of the "previously disadvantaged".
MP Heloise Jordaan said, "It is absurd that international-quality athletes are treated in such an inferior way - not only by the body that is supposed to promote their best interests, but also by the department of sport who boasts their so-called inclusiveness on every conceivable occasion."
Ironically, teenage swimming star Minke attended the budget speech of the Minister of Sport, Nati Mthethwa, in parliament last year as a guest of honour, where she also said a few words. According to Jordaan, Mthethwa pledged to do everything to ensure that disabled athletes shine on the international stage.
Mohlabi told George Herald on Tuesday that Sasa-II is not interested in international participation until they have fixed their debt crisis. "We are suspended and we don't have money. We won't promise anyone anything until we are in a position to move forward." A meeting held in January with the department did nothing to change the situation. "We created this problem and we have to see how we can get out of it," Mohlabi said.
Feedback from the department is being awaited.
Minke is practising daily with her coach Sybeth Hughes and according to Hennie, still hopes to sing the national anthem on a podium at an international event.