Sport Minister’s prohibition on major events clashes with international sport regulations

25 April 2016

AfriForum is of the opinion that the prohibition by Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, on SA Rugby, Cricket SA, Netball SA and Athletics SA to apply for the hosting of major international sporting events, conflicts with international sport regulations. According to the civil rights organisation, the international sport regulations expressly forbids any form of political interference in sport.

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, says the organisation will instruct its legal team to investigate action steps to submit complaints to the international sports bodies.

“The Minister’s prohibition is nothing more than blackmailing sports bodies into imposing Government’s racial ideology of transformation.”

Kriel points out that the greatest obstacle to ensure access for all South Africans to sport events lies with Government itself. 

“It is also Government’s responsibility to provide sporting facilities and a good functioning education system where children are exposed to sport.”

Issued by Kallie Kriel, CEO, AfriForum, 25 April 2016