AfriForum to submit complaints to international sports bodies against SA sports institutions implementing quotas
Civil rights organisation AfriForum has warned South African sports bodies that they will be reported to international sport authorities, should they yield to pressure from Government to implement racial quotas. This warning from AfriForum came shortly after the Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, indicated that national sports teams should implement a 60-40 quota system in terms of which 60% of these teams should comprise black players.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, the regulations issued by almost every international sporting body prohibit any form of racial discrimination and government interference in sport. Kriel pointed out that this is explicitly stated in the Olympic Manifesto of the International Olympic Committee, which is applicable to most sports, as well as the regulations issued by the International Rugby Board, the International Cricket Council and the International Netball Federation.
"AfriForum will not remain passive while the dreams and sporting careers of young people are destroyed by racist politicians and sports administrators. We will not spare any trouble or cost to take up the fight with every international sporting body against blatant discrimination in South African sports," Kriel added.
Kriel pointed out that AfriForum does support the development of sport, which will afford all South Africans an equal opportunity to participate. A race-based quota system does not, however, contribute to the development of new players and merely disadvantages talented sport stars. "Talented black players are disadvantaged by quotas because the validity of their inclusion into teams is always questioned, and young white players are excluded from teams because they happen to be of the wrong race," Kriel added.
Kriel said AfriForum is planning a campaign against racial quotas in SA sports, and the legal team for the organisation is already working on official complaints that will be submitted against sports bodies currently using quotas.
Statement issued by Kallie Kriel, CEO: AfriForum, April 7 2014
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