Mbalula 'bans' SARU from hosting major events

SARU is one of four national bodies who had their "privileges" revoked, because they have not met their own transformation targets.

The other federations slapped with the "ban" of hosting "major and mega" international events are cricket, athletics and netball.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula made the announcement during the release of the Eminent Persons Group on Transformation in Sport in Pretoria on Monday.

In a response to a question from rugby365, the minister said this only applies to "new events".

It would not affect the Cape Town leg of the Sevens World Series, Super Rugby matches and the June Tests against Ireland.

However, it will prevent them from bidding to host the 2023 15-a-side World Cup.

"I have resolved to revoke the privilege of Athletics South Africa, Cricket South Africa, Netball South Africa and the South African Rugby Union to host and bid for major and mega international tournaments in the Republic of South Africa," Mbalula said (see video above).

"This is as a consequence of the aforementioned federations not meeting their own set transformation targets with immediate effect," Mbalula added.

"I will review this decision when considering the results of the 2016/2017 Transformation Barometer."

The minister he does not want to "paralyse" federations or prevent sportsmen and women from competing internationally.

"It is not my intention to disrupt the momentum gained from the implementation of the transformation barometer and the global competitive edge of some federations and spots bodies.

"However, I am mindful of the urgent task for federations to move with speed in the direction of providing quality opportunities and access to the youth of our country.

"On the basis of the aforementioned reasons I have resolved not to revoke punitive measures that may either paralyse our federations financially or deny opportunities of our athlete to compete continentally and globally."

He said the South African Football Association had met its target, but lashed out at the slow pace of introducing soccer at private schools.

"In respect of the South African Football Association, I am delighted that SAFA has met its transformation targets," said Mbalula.

"I will, however, issue a Ministerial directive to SAFA as a consequence of their poor drive to penetrate and roll out football in former Model C schools and private schools."

He said the Transformation Charter was the load-star of the sport movement that drew attention to the immediate and inevitable necessity for the Sport System to Transform for both Moral and Strategic imperatives.

He said morally, it was "the right thing to do" - considering the grave injustices of the past.

He also felt it was "strategically necessary", because of the reality that 84 percent of the country's Under-18-year-old population was black African and only 16 percent white, coloured and Indian.

He said to ignore this strategic reality, from a sustainability perspective alone, would be suicidal.

He said he had applied his mind to the aforementioned reality and had taken into account the strides made by men and women within the sports movement to achieve transformation goals.

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com