This is one of the undertakings made by the MEC for Sport in Gauteng, Lebogang Maile during his budget speech.
Maile, who has vigorously challenged municipalities to make available training facilities to athletes, also pointed out the challenges facing athletes to compete internationally.
“It would be injustice and compromising for our youths’, athletes and anyone who needs to use facilities to be turned away just because one cannot pay a certain fee. That is tantamount to denying one’s rights to access facilities,” says Maile whose department has budgeted an estimated R132.076mil for 2012/2013 financial year end.
Having said that, an amount of R37.3287million has been available to municipalities for accessibility purposes.
Having merged the department with Gauteng Film Commission, which was allocated R23.4million, other units also received between 5 and 7% an increase from last year.
Libraries were allocated R54.716million-which would see the five libraries completed in Soshanguve, Mohlakeng, Khutsong South , Simunye and Blybank, respectively.
The inaugural Gauteng Sports Challenge to be launched in phases at later stage would see PSL teams competing in three game tourneys later in July this year, and Gauteng Marathon to be hosted by Mogale City and City of Jhb jointly got R10m.
Future Champs now in its fourth year received R4m and as part of rehabilitating and promoting boxing and tourism in Soweto, Alex and Katlehong got R3m.
Schools Sport received R33m; Water Safety Campaign got R1, 5m and R2.4mil for athletes to partake in Provincial Competitions.
The Africa Cup Nations next year will receive budget in partnership with other municipalities, although it was not specified how much. Gauteng has been identified to open and close the tournament, according to Maile.
Other key projects such as establishment of Gauteng Sport Village, Mass Particiaption, Provincial Gymnastrada, Blackball Pool, Provincial Games and Re-Configuring of Community Hubs, would be catered for.
Various sporting codes which we spoke to agreed, that the increase of budget and its allocations would help in achieving their objectives, and those athletes preparing for 2012 London Olympics in London, would be energized with the news.
“We trust the MEC and his executive committee would unlock those funds and help us shape the future of this Province and SA, as a whole,” commented one wrestling parent/trainer.
In his concluding remarks, MEC also thanked Pirates (PSL treble champs), (NFD Tuks ) and SuperSport for winning the Nedbank Cup, respectively.
To be an active nation we need healthy minds, says Maile.
Various opposition political parties also gave the budget a thumbs-up.
