ANC YOUTH LEAGUE SUPPORTS THE MINISTER OF SPORTS' COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA AND CALLS FOR ACTION ON THE EMBARASSMENT BAFANA BAFANA CAUSED THE NATION:

The ANC Youth League fully supports the announcement by Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula that a Commission of inquiry will be instituted to investigate possibilities of corruption within Cricket South Africa (CSA). We believe that this is a sign of decisiveness, and plausibly different from the pattern of those who everyday claim to speak against corruption, yet take no action whenever action is required. The ANC YL is uncompromisingly and firmly against all forms of corruption and will support anti-corruption measures and actions instituted against those illegally divert benefits for self-enrichment.

The ANC Youth League also calls on the Minister of Sports to demand a thorough explanation and accountability from the South African Football Association (SAFA) on the embarrassment Bafana Bafana caused the South African nation. Someone within SAFA should be held responsible for playing the emotions of players and all South Africans by creating an impression that the National Soccer Team has qualified for the African Cup of Nations Tournament. Bafana Bafana players and the whole nation were misled into believing that a draw with Sierra Leone will guarantee the National Soccer Team space in the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Those who directed Bafana Bafana players to go around Mbombela stadium dancing for an imaginary victory should be held accountable, because it is clear that they went to the game with an attitude of securing a draw, and not a win. Bafana Bafana should be a competitive and one of the best teams in the African continent, and not only participate in soccer tournaments because South Africa is a host nation. Those who don the South African jersey to represent the country in any sporting code should do so with humility, patriotism and the determined will to be victorious. On the recent embarrassment, someone should be held accountable and if needs be, heads must roll.

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, October 17 2011

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