South Africa’s sports minister has banned the national rugby and cricket federations from bidding for or hosting major international tournaments for at least a year over their failures to create opportunities for black players.
Minister Fikile Mbalula made the announcement on Monday after receiving a report on ‘transformation’ in South Africa’s five biggest sports: Rugby, cricket, football, athletics and netball.
The athletics and netball federations also were banned from bidding. Football was the only one to meet its target.
Mbalula said in a statement: ‘I have therefore resolved to revoke the privilege of Athletics South Africa (ASA), Cricket South Africa (CSA), Netball South Africa (NSA) and South African rugby (SARU) to host and bid for major and mega international tournaments.’
Speaking at the release of the ‘Eminent Persons Group on Transformation in Sport’ report in Pretoria, Mbalula revealed he would review his decision next year.
‘Those federations that I mentioned who have not complied in that year under review will not be in a position to host or bid for any competition, small or big, internationally,’ he said.
‘We will not support them and, at the same time, that will not be undertaken precisely because, as much work as has been done, there’s still gaps in terms of transformation for the big five federations.
‘It means rugby will not be in a position to host mega events in terms of the Springboks as it relates to hosting the World Cup. That we will not support. Read More dailymail
