The South African National Lotteries Commission is considering funding cuts to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) that could cripple several Olympic sports federations, including swimming, according to a report from Business Day.
The proposed cut would re-classify SASCOC as a “national federation,” limiting its funding to R5 million per two-year cycles, when in the past the organization has received up to R100 million per year.
According to Business Day, SASCOC CEO Teddy Reddy explained that the decision could put SASCOC out of business by March 2018, as with severely reduced funding, the organization would not be able to field representative teams.
South African swimming receives huge benefits from SASCOC, as Olympic medalists Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh have combined to receive more than R3 million since 2009. Other sports that would be affected massively include rowing, athletics and triathlon.
In Rio, South Africa won 10 total Olympic medals, with nine of them coming in the four sports that could be devastated by budget cuts. In swimming, South Africa won three medals, all silvers — two by le Clos (200 free, 100 fly) and one by van der Burgh (100 breast).
This funding cut would come on top of what several notable South African swimmers have already considered lackluster financial support. Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling, two members of South Africa’s Olympic gold medal-winning 400 free relay team from 2004, have been particularly outspoken about substandard equipment and lack of coverage for travel expenses, among other issues.
Read more from Business Day by clicking here.
An absolute disgraceful federation that extorts their athletes!
I is a miracle that any athletes even qualify for Olympics.
Going to be up to parents to fund swimming…..and it is not a “cheap” sport as many might think. Not just a case of swim suit, goggles and a cap anymore.