South Africa’s (SA) Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has approved R3 million ($182 319) in financial assistance to ensure the country’s men’s and women’s national hockey teams do not have to pay their own way to the 2026 International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World Cup.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30.
The funding comes after the SA Hockey Association reported a funding shortfall of approximately R3 million
($182 319), raising concerns that players would have to personally cover a significant portion of their travel and tournament costs.
In recent weeks, members of both national teams publicly highlighted the financial burden of representing SA, saying out-of-pocket expenses for flights, accommodation, visas and tournament fees were expected to run into tens of thousands of rand per player.
McKenzie says it is unacceptable for athletes who have earned their place on the international stage to bear the financial cost of representing their country.
“Our hockey players have already done SA proud, arriving in Europe as reigning African champions in both the men’s and women’s competitions. It cannot be right that athletes who have earned that place on the world stage through years of sacrifice are then asked to fund their own participation. Representing your country is a national honour and a national responsibility. It should never be a personal financial burden,” says McKenzie.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) says the funding will be transferred once a formal funding agreement has been concluded and governance requirements have been met.
As part of the conditions, SA Hockey has been instructed to submit a comprehensive report explaining the funding shortfall, account for how the funds will be used, and provide a financial turnaround plan aimed at strengthening the organisation’s long-term sustainability and governance.
McKenzie emphasised that the intervention is a once-off measure made in the national interest and should not be interpreted as a standing commitment by government to cover operational or financial shortfalls at national sports federations.
He also wished both the men’s and women’s teams success as they prepare to represent SA at the World Cup next month.
—WendyMothata/ ChannelAfrica–
