MEDIA RELEASE: STATEMENT ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF SPORT AND RECREATION FOLLOWING A MEETING WITH MACRO SPORTS BODIES AND NATIONAL FEDERATIONS IN BOKSBURG ON

THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2004

A COMMITMENT BY SOUTH AFRICAN SPORT

The Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour convened a meeting of senior officials of macro sports bodies and 12 national federations in Johannesburg earlier today (12 February 2004).

The sports bodies represented at the meeting included NOCSA, Disability Sport South Africa (DISSA), rugby, cricket, football, athletics, swimming, netball, tennis, cycling, basketball, professional and amateur boxing and hockey.

Discussions centred around the governance and administration of sport with the main focus being on the need to work towards a winning culture in South African sport. Representatives adopted the following declaration:

Recognizing current processes of restructuring of sport that are under way, those present at the meeting adopted a commitment on behalf of South African sport. This commitment will be taken to all national federations and stakeholders in sport for their consideration and ratification. In this regard, it was decided to:

Develop a strategic sports plan to answer the major questions of where to and how for sport with clear deliverables and timeframes that are measurable and which relate to the following key areas:

A. The principles on which a strong sports foundation should be built. These include:

1. Strong administration in all its facets

2. Sports development plans

3. Facilities plan

4. Guidelines related to commercialism/national interest/spirit of winning/performance relationship

5. Shared vision and services

6. Accountable management

7. Sourcing, coordination and allocation of resources

8. Restoring the honour and culture of winning

9. Focus on certain identified sports codes

10. Transformation and opportunities

B. Timeframes: immediate and long term

C. Code of conduct underpinned by discipline and mutual respect

D. Monitoring/Assessment/Peer review mechanism

E. Report back within 3 months

A follow-up meeting will be held on Friday 27 February 2004.

Enquiries: Graham Abrahams at 082 453 2244

Date: 12 February 2004