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The Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation is satisfied with the department’s intervention in challenges currently faced by sports federations.

The Committee was briefed about the challenges relating to the finances of Athletics South Africa (ASA), in particular the matter of the court case attaching the premises of ASA. The Committee appreciates the assistance that the department is offering and believes that the approach to resolve the matter at hand will yield positive results.

The Committee has also been made aware of matters of political interference at Cricket South Africa (CSA) and has been formally briefed by the department in so far as these allegations are concerned. It is the view of the Committee that the process followed thus far is satisfactory. The Committee believes that as far as the findings of the review panel on the allegations of political interference made against the chief executive officer of SCA Mr Haroon Lorgat, the coach of Proteas Mr Russel Domingo, and the Minister of Sport and Recreation Mr Fikile Mbalula, they (the findings) have provided clarification on the matter.

The Committee is of the view that had there been further need for scrutiny, due process dictates that Sascoc (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) processes would have to unfold. Therefore, the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation does not believe that there is a need to establish a parliamentary inquiry without exhausting all due processes.

The Committee also received a briefing on the challenges faced by Swimming South Africa (SSA) on payment of flights for athletes to world championships without meeting the established national qualification standards. The Committee is of the view that while access is increased, excellence should still be the basis upon which athletes are selected and compete. Therefore, the Committee believes that the established national standards are compulsory for all athletes to meet in order to take part in these championships,

The Department also briefed the Committee on the challenges Basketball South Africa (BSA) faced on the eve of the Four Nations Tournament in March. The Committee is scheduled to meet BSA on Tuesday, 5 May 2015, where it will engage the federation.

The Committee appreciates the manner in which the department is dealing with all these challenges and the Committee will continue to offer its support.

Issued by Parliamentary Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the portfolio committee on Sports and Recreation