Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, announced that 293 applicants across various disciplines will receive financial support from the R150 million Relief Fund allocated to the department.
The Minister said they received more than 300 applications by 23 April. Disbursement started on 24 April and 93 of the successful applicants received their relief funding. Each applicant could claim up to R20 000 from the Relief Fund. The Department largely processed funds through federations but payment was made directly by the government.
The 293 successful applicants are from the following codes and federations:
- Boxing SA: 47
- Athletics: 86
- Canoeing: 2
- Equestrian: 21
- Fencing: 7
- Golf: 70
- Gymnastics: 3
- Netball: 8
- Football: 17
- SA National Boxing Organisation: 4
- Those with disabilities: 15
- Surfing: 5
- Tennis: 2
- Triathlon: 5
Mthethwa said he is concerned about the high number of applications that were declined. He says that many are from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and were largely declined due to missing documents or no valid proof of the cancellation of events in their applications. He said that the Department needs to work on a way to ensure that they reach the athletes who are in dire need of financial relief.
