AS THE excitement picks up around the Gauteng Sports Awards, MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile, has called on sports federations to be accountable.
Maile made the plea at a media breakfast at Johannesburg Stadium. The occasion was to update the media on the provincial awards at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on June 29.
"The Sports Awards are not a party," said the MEC. "This is about giving opportunity to youngsters to rub shoulders with those who have already succeeded with their careers.
"It's about inspiring and encouraging our youngsters. That's why we must work hard to convince the private sector to put more resources towards development."
The MEC lashed out at those federations that are frustrating development efforts, saying that there were instances where funding to develop future sports stars gets abused.
"That is why we support the minister (of sport, Fikile Mbalula) in his approach in dealing with the issues of Safa and we are not happy because we believe that Safa can do better in ensuring development," Maile said.
"Not this technical master plan programme that they launched to deflect attention after they had issues with the sports minister.
"We want a programme that is rooted in the communities, that is integrated, that is sustainable and that is funded from the Fifa Legacy Fund where there is R600-million in the kitty.
"People must not only just expect government to account.
"We invested billions to build stadiums for the 2010 Fifa World Cup with taxpayers money and this is how this Legacy Fund came to exist.
"So, it's in that context that the public must get answers from Safa."
Maile congratulated Gauteng soccer teams for dominating the Absa Premier League for 14 seasons, 10 in a row.
Kaizer Chiefs won the league title and are also in the final of the Nedbank Cup with fellow Gauteng side SuperSport United. The final takes place in Durban on Saturday.
"We wish Bafana Bafana well for their June 8 and June 16 World Cup qualifiers, because we want more potential nominees from their ranks for the Gauteng Sports Awards," Maile the .
The deadline for the nomination of athletes has been extended until Friday.
Maile has a go at errant federations
AS THE excitement picks up around the Gauteng Sports Awards, MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile, has called on sports federations to be accountable.
Maile made the plea at a media breakfast at Johannesburg Stadium. The occasion was to update the media on the provincial awards at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on June 29.
"The Sports Awards are not a party," said the MEC. "This is about giving opportunity to youngsters to rub shoulders with those who have already succeeded with their careers.
"It's about inspiring and encouraging our youngsters. That's why we must work hard to convince the private sector to put more resources towards development."
The MEC lashed out at those federations that are frustrating development efforts, saying that there were instances where funding to develop future sports stars gets abused.
"That is why we support the minister (of sport, Fikile Mbalula) in his approach in dealing with the issues of Safa and we are not happy because we believe that Safa can do better in ensuring development," Maile said.
"Not this technical master plan programme that they launched to deflect attention after they had issues with the sports minister.
"We want a programme that is rooted in the communities, that is integrated, that is sustainable and that is funded from the Fifa Legacy Fund where there is R600-million in the kitty.
"People must not only just expect government to account.
"We invested billions to build stadiums for the 2010 Fifa World Cup with taxpayers money and this is how this Legacy Fund came to exist.
"So, it's in that context that the public must get answers from Safa."
Maile congratulated Gauteng soccer teams for dominating the Absa Premier League for 14 seasons, 10 in a row.
Kaizer Chiefs won the league title and are also in the final of the Nedbank Cup with fellow Gauteng side SuperSport United. The final takes place in Durban on Saturday.
"We wish Bafana Bafana well for their June 8 and June 16 World Cup qualifiers, because we want more potential nominees from their ranks for the Gauteng Sports Awards," Maile the .
The deadline for the nomination of athletes has been extended until Friday.
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