Following Roland Schoeman’s 6th place finishing in the men’s 50m freestyle on Friday evening, the experienced Olympic campaigner was scathing in his attack on government and SASCOC, lamenting the lack of financial support for him in the build-up to the Games. This was not a story we had not heard before, as the gold-winning Awesome Foursome from Athens (which Schoeman was part of) spoke of similar challenges.
The four men who won gold in the men’s lightweight 4s all went through a structure to get their places on that team. Sizwe Ndlovu pointed out that they were all picked from the Rowing SA u23 field, a mandatory stop on the road to being recognised at senior level.
These two stories are but a speck on the SA sport horizon. Both emphasize the need for funding to be ploughed into sport, and the importance of development. More often than not, the successes in our country (think of our competitive cricket and rugby national teams versus the potential our hockey teams have shown) have happened due to correct structures being in place, as well as funding going in the right direction.
It takes government, the private sector and anyone who can, to make this happen, to grow the potential that lies out there.
Thanks to our sponsors and partners Kia Motors, Foodzone, Supersport Let’s Play, Dawn Wing Global Express, Mille, Good Hope FM, ProNutro; our PSL partners Ajax Cape Town, Amazulu, Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates; as well as the provincial Departments of Health for the continued support.