Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has explained what the limitation of 100 people in a gathering means to hosting of events.
Mthethwa has also come down hard on the organisers of Comrades South Africa for coming out on Tuesday, saying they will continue with plans to stage the marathon until further notice.
The 95th edition of the Human Race is expected to take place in June this year.
Mthethwa says this statement was reckless and irresponsible:
Earlier, the ultra-marathon said a final decision on a possible postponement will only be announced on April the 17th.
Comrades Marathon Association Chairperson, Cheryl Winn saying, “We felt it would be premature for us to make any decisions at this stage, and so we have decided we will very closely monitor the situation by no later than the 17th of April. We will make a final decision as to whether or not we will postpone events. I think that’s really an operative word at this stage – we are at worst looking at a possible postponement. It’s quite a complex thing and it impacts upon other sporting events, particularly athletics and road running. It’s a bit of a complex thing but we are busy working on it.”
Mthethwa met in Pretoria with leaders from the top seven sporting codes in the country, namely football, boxing, rugby, cricket, athletics, swimming, netball and macro sports body – the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
The attendees included Sascoc Acting president Barry Hendricks, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan, PSL Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, Boxing SA Chairman Dr Peter Ngatane, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and many more.
The meeting also looks at the commercial impact the suspension of the federations’ programmes is going to have on the athletes and the federations themselves and how to mitigate this.
Mthethwa explains the 100 people limitation:
Most sports federations in the country have taken a decision to suspend events and fixtures for the next 30 days or indefinitely until the government reviews the situation of this coronavirus in the country on the 14th of next month.
Mthethwa has thanked all the federations which have taken this positive step.
In the audio below, Mthethwa explains:
#BoxingSA is confident that the immediate interventions it has adopted to mitigate and manage the potential spread of the Corona Virus on the sector are in order, even in light of the financial implications. #Corvid19SA#OneMessageManyVoices pic.twitter.com/50L3JzEOtH
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) March 17, 2020
Furthermore, #BoxingSA will tap into the voice and platforms of it’s licensees and champions to create public awareness and strengthen mitigation messages. #Corvid19SA #OneMessageManyVoices pic.twitter.com/9xcAYHN3Gz
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) March 17, 2020
We salute women in Leadership. Thank you for being pro-active and taking a resolute stand. #Covid19SA https://t.co/OpXxR3eEo0 pic.twitter.com/H8jP3RV19Q
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) March 17, 2020
The President of @Netball_SA, Cecilia Molokwane, has just made a powerful statement to confirm that all departments within the Netball Fraternity have been suspended for the safety of all players and employees within their various structures. #Covid19SA
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) March 17, 2020
Many of the Sporting fraternities on the continent have suspended their matches. All Federations must consider the impact on the people, first. The impact of #Corvid19SA is not going to be felt only by National Federations – but by the people on the ground as well. pic.twitter.com/SYgSJyXgAn
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) March 17, 2020
Many of our tournaments will have to be potsponed & some of the major implications include loss of income. Also, athletes will not be able to train unless they are all tested. There are many other implications that will be shared in our official statement today. #Covid19SA
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) March 17, 2020
– Report by Velile Mnyandu
