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The Inkatha Freedom Party calls on the Minister of Sports and Recreation Thulas Nxesi, to urgently intervene in the heated battle between South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) and the South African Football Association (SAFA) over the governing of sports in schools.

“As the IFP we encourage that sports must be promoted in schools but now it is disappointing if there is a fight between these sports associations over the governing of sports in schools. It is imperative that the Minister of Sports intervenes urgently without any further delay before the situation gets out of hand and our children are deprived.

It is a well-known fact that if elephants fight the grass suffers,” said IFP National Spokesperson on Sports, Mr Khethamabala Sithole MP.

“Although we are not taking any sides in this issue but we maintain that there must be a mutual agreement between these sports associations. We are of the view that if this issue is left unattended it will scare off sponsors which will have a negative impact in sports promotion in our schools.

We urge SAFA to focus in developing upcoming sports talents and SASFA must focus on promoting sports in schools. To fight over administrative matters does not benefit any one,” continued Mr Sithole.

“We except that both the associations and the Minister of Sports must address the issue of our youngsters who are facing problems of lack of sports facilities in many schools and in rural areas. Most of the schools have no proper sports facilities and coaching support. We need to build more sports facilities around the country in order to help sport grow,” concluded Mr Sithole.

The IFP further calls for the promotion of boxing in our country especially in rural areas. We don’t see much impetus in the promotion of this kind of sport. Therefore, this is another challenge to the Department of Sports to build more boxing facilities.

Issued by IFP