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The moral decay of SA sport

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Sport24 columnist Graeme Joffe (File)
Sport24 columnist Graeme Joffe (File)
South African sport is in massive trouble as millions of rands continue to get wasted by selfish, gravy train administrators.

The rot starts right at the top.

In trying to justify a spend of R65 million on the SA sports awards this year, Sports minister, Fikile Mbalula said that 30 million people watched the awards on television last year. But a Rapport investigation report under the headline, “Sport se Oscars' was bekonkel “ showed those viewership figures were not even a tenth of that.

The irregularities with the tender process are also well documented.

The public is continually being misled by our own administrators.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is still trying to cover up their CEO appointment or lack thereof. I have it on good authority that CSA has told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they won’t appoint Haroon Lorgat as CEO. Lorgat was about to be appointed in April until the BCCI interfered and threatened to cut the amount of games India play against the Proteas. 

CSA then sent a five-man delegation, first class to India to mend fences and on return, appointed an independent company to find a CEO (easy cop out). They also asked some officials to apply after the deadline, knowing full well Lorgat was the right man for the job.

Talk about a waste of time and money.

Speaking of money, why is it that nothing more has been said of SA Rugby officials paying themselves a bonus increase of 107% after the SARU tax profits plunged 87%?

On top of that, SARU are spending a ludicrous amount on a “Springbok Experience” rugby museum in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

A R45 million experience, a rental of R150 000 per month and only due to open in September, with the design and production awarded to a company in London.

Proudly South African?

Sounds more and more like Sascoc’s deal with the Chinese clothing manufacturer, Erke and should be fully investigated.

Would also love to know who’s been paying for Oregan Hoskins’s MBA the last two years?

No wonder the SARU president has been so scarce.

Perhaps, that’s why neither the SARU president nor CEO were at the Vodacom Cup final. No monies left for business class travel to Nelspruit or they didn’t want to see the Lions lift the trophy? 

SA rugby is in dire need of a change in leadership.

Sascoc, meanwhile are still trying to fool everyone what a great job they’re doing in cleaning up SA sport.

It couldn’t be further from the truth.

If athletes, coaches and others were allowed to speak out without victimisation, the stories would make your hair stand up.

Sascoc CEO, Tubby Reddy and company spend more time with hastily arranged press conferences and meetings behind closed doors than anything else. They are facing legal action on so many fronts and have the arrogance to ignore the instructions of bodies like the IAAF.

The bubble has to burst.

I heard a Sascoc official on 702 this week trying to justify all their business class travel and accommodation in five star hotels and then try to justify why SA’s number one ranked fencer, Sello Maduma, is currently not getting a cent from the OPEX programme.

It’s all so wrong.

Maduma went to the Olympics in Beijing, just missed out on qualification for London and could so easily qualify for Rio if given the chance.

But Sascoc officials would rather enjoy their lavish lifestyles and world tours at the expense of so many of our athletes.        

It is good to see how well our swimmers are still doing on the international stage despite an inept federation.

Swimming South Africa (SSA) has so many dark secrets and should have been placed under administration a long time ago. But the SSA president and CEO are “Sascoc buddies” and can do no wrong.

How does Sascoc turn a blind eye to SSA president, Jace Naidoo using a limited “coach accreditation” at the London Olympics?

Naidoo took full advantage to abuse his position, which allowed him access to accommodation in the games village, transport, food and all the other privileges while a SA swimmer is denied having his or her coach at the games at all.

Is this the way the leader of a federation should act in his personal interest at the cost of the South African national interest?

And just when you think things are going “swimmingly” well in SA cycling ... Cycling SA (CSA) changes its constitution to write out the Pedal Power Association (PPA) which has been promoting the well being of cyclists in SA for over 30 years.

PPA has filed an application in this regard with the High Court.

CSA also wants to introduce a membership fee for all cyclists, even for a fun ride.

Wait until SANRAL hears about this - cyclists could need an E-Toll tag as well!

It should be an honour and privilege to be a SA sports administrator but for many, it’s just an opportunity to enrich themselves. 

Mbalula now says cabinet will have to budget at least R10 billion towards the fulfillment of the objectives of the NSRP (national sport and recreation plan).

Milk it while you can “Mbaks”! 

SA sport cannot survive the moral decay.

Email Graeme at: graeme@butterbean.co.za

Catch Graeme Joffe on SportsFire every Monday and Thursday at 17:30 on Radio Today, 1485am in JHB, National on DStv audio channel 169 and streaming worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Follow Graeme Joffe on Twitter: @joffersmyboy

Disclaimer:
Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24. 
 
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