Zweli Mkhize, the KwaZulu-Natal finance and economic development MEC, has made an additional R128,9million available to the provincial department of sport and recreation.

Zweli Mkhize, the KwaZulu-Natal finance and economic development MEC, has made an additional R128,9million available to the provincial department of sport and recreation.

In his provincial budget speech last Thursday, Mkhize said the funds were meant to ensure that the preparations for the 2010 World Cup were not derailed.

He said the money would also be used to expand sport and recreation initiatives and to finance the construction of sports facilities in disadvantaged areas.

Mkhize added that he hoped the additional allocation would go a long way to accelerating the construction of sports facilities in rural areas.

"We have identified the lack of sporting facilities as a real concern for the youth. I therefore hope that this allocation will, to some extent, address this concern."