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- SA's medal winners from the Commonwealth Games can expect recognition in the form of bonuses from Sascoc in due course.
- The sports ministry confirmed that the umbrella body for local sporting federations is in the process of ironing out the details.
- The department, however, tempered expectations of similar recognition for other events, stating that various other streams for praise exist.
South Africa's medal winners from the recently concluded Commonwealth Games will be receiving performance bonuses for their feats in Birmingham.
The sports ministry on Tuesday confirmed that funding will be a joint effort between government and umbrella body Sascoc, but failed to provide any concrete details such as the overall kitty and reward tiers.
"In terms of the recognition of athletes from the event, the minister (Nathi Mthethwa) has indicated that Sascoc will make an announcement in due course," Sumayya Khan, deputy director-general for recreation and sports development at the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, said at a media conference confirming the ministry's pledge to remunerate Banyana Banyana for their WAFCON heroics.
"We are working together jointly, so whatever is afforded to the athletes is a dual initiative."
Team South Africa experienced a muted campaign, garnering only 27 medals in what was its most barren harvest since 1994, but, significantly, female athletes outshone their male counterparts.
As a so-called premium event, stars from the Commonwealth Games "qualify" for special recognition from Sascoc for their achievements.
However, Khan pointed out that there are no similar plans for the athletes that shone in June's African Athletics Championship, where South Africa finished second on the medals table for the showpiece in Mauritius.
"With regards to other athletes, it's important to note that this isn't the only recognition system we have," she said.
"What we need to understand that the recognition for Banyana, for example, are for really exceptional accolades. For the first time, we've won WAFCON.
"This is an exceptional incentive recognition. But there are other streams, like the South African Sports Awards, where federations will be encourage to recommend or nominate their athletes.
"In terms of Banyana, they're part of what we call our 'seize the moment' initiative, where we have to recognise an achievement more immediately. We can't wait for the sports awards. It's hot off the press so to speak.
"There are various other platforms for other great achievements."
