The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the MEC of Sports and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha to build more sports facilities, because the lack of sports facilities has greatly contributed to juvenile delinquency in the province.
“There is an urgent need to create sports facilities, playgrounds, coaches’ quarters and other recreational facilities in our province. Lack of investments in sports infrastructure development and lack of recreational facilities in the province has deprived many of the youth of the chance to explore their talents. I don’t think that the KZN Provincial Government knows exactly or understands or appreciates the need for a logical, well-funded and politics-free sports development program,” said IFP Spokesperson on Sports and Recreation, Mr Nhlanhla Msimango, MPL.
“Government must create a strong and well-structured sports development program as part of the long-term goal towards achieving sports excellence in the future. There is need for massive grassroots development, in collaboration with other government units such as the Department of Education and other sectors. Government must also be able to recognize who are contributing to the good of sports and who are only there because they want to get rich,” continued Msimango.
“Successive governments have kicked school sport around as a political football, announcing short-term fixes without any sustained vision for the future. Occasional, unstructured and short term activities are simply not good enough for something so important. We recommend that the Department of Education makes clear to all schools that they must offer both competitive and non-competitive sporting opportunities for their pupils, to ensure that all young people feel able to take part in sport and enjoy the benefits it brings,” concluded Mr Msimango.
Issued by:
Mr Nhlanhla Msimango,MPL,
IFP Spokesperson on Sports and Recreation, 074 259 0820 / 078 302 4657
For Media Enquiries:
IFP KZN Provincial Legislature Media Liaison Officer, Mr Phendulani Biyase, 073 024 5675
