Latest news with #Sascoc
The Herald
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
PE Sports Legends Trust celebrates 10 unsung heroines
The Port Elizabeth Sports Legends Trust again acknowledged Women's Month by celebrating the lives and contributions of 10 unsung heroines in sport, arts and culture at the weekend. The vibrant Royal Tea in the beautifully draped 19th on Fifth Conference Venue in Walmer was part of the trust's 10th anniversary celebrations. It was also the third Unsung Heroines event organised by the trustees and the organisation's women's committee. SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) chief executive Nosipho Jafta was the guest of honour for the evening. Jafta praised the trust's efforts in recognising women in sport, arts and culture. 'This is amazing, this is a beautiful event,' Jafta said. 'It's always good for women to celebrate each other, to have this kind of event in Gqeberha, celebrating other women. 'I'm from Gqeberha and feel honoured to be part of this event. 'We need to do more of such events, because mothers are always known to be nation builders and this event to me is exactly that. 'We are honouring women who do not stand in front of cameras, who do not want to be praised, who don't want any accolades, they just want to be heard and seen. 'Today, we are saying to them, we see you, and it's beautiful to give people their flowers while they can still smell them, because in most cases we celebrate each other when we are no more. 'I support this initiative because I believe people must be honoured, they must be told that we are grateful for the work that they do in their communities.' Elizabeth 'Biffy' Joubert was acknowledged for her service in creating water safety awareness, as well as for many years of training educators in the skills of teaching swimming. Ursula Petersen was also honoured for having dedicated a lifetime to water skills training in the community. Truda Plaatjies, who obtained provincial hockey colours in her playing days, was honoured for her contributions to the less prominent sport of squash. Over many years, Plaatjies devoted time and energy to fostering the game at all levels. Besides being an active player, she also obtained her coaching qualification and served the province as a coach at various levels. Also honoured was Luyanda Matomela Siwisa, a top athlete who went on to serve Cowan High School for 28 years. As an educator, she went above and beyond the call of duty, producing several leading athletes and netball players, many of whom went on to gain provincial and national colours. Carol Munger was honoured for her contribution to hockey in the region. A familiar figure on the fields of Gelvandale for the Rangers Club during her playing career, she then took on a new role and served diligently over many years as the manager of EP teams. Also recognised was Rina van Zyl, who without any fanfare was involved in the welfare of young golfers, particularly in giving opportunities where previously denied. She has the distinction of being the only woman chair of a golf club, the Fairview Golf Club. Fiona Rodell was honoured for having dedicated six decades of her life to keeping the spirit of Spanish dancing alive. She has won the prestigious Molina Award an incredible 17 times. A legend in the world of dance, Maureen Gardner, was also recognised. She has enjoyed a dance career spanning 50 years, winning two SA titles with her husband, Sylvester, along the way. She actively promotes and teaches the art of dance in the community. Pinky Nkanunu was recognised as a lifelong activist for justice, equality and transformation in sport. Her quiet background efforts served as inspiration to her late husband, Silas, who was a former SA Rugby Union president. A poignant moment was the special dedication to the late Chakeera Dolley, who was honoured by the trust in 2024 for her contribution to the sport of volleyball. Another highlight was the special award presented by trustee Graeme Sauls to Barbara Gunn-Manna, who is a well-known personality in the soccer world. Her work to keep the history of the game alive via social media platforms is well-known and traverses the continents. The Herald
TimesLIVE
30-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sascoc, federations form task team over McKenzie's big funding cuts
National federations have formed a strategic task team to engage sport minister Gayton McKenzie and his department after heavy funding cuts, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said on Tuesday. Sports have been hit by budget cuts totalling about R40m this year which have seen cuts in government funding of up to 60% for codes such as athletics and swimming, while Sascoc and a few others received nothing. Sascoc described the cuts as an 'unfolding financial crisis that will derail the upward performance trajectory of all the [South African] teams and individual athletes'. It and the national federations held an emergency meeting last week.
TimesLIVE
26-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Gayton LIVs it up as cash-strapped federations plan to hit back
While sport minister Gayton McKenzie participated in yesterday's announcement that LIV Golf was heading to South Africa next year, national federations still reeling from his funding cuts were finalising a unified response. Local sports officials this week staged an emergency meeting — facilitated by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) — to draw up a battle plan after their annual budgets were slashed by a combined R40m, translating into cuts ranging from 40% to 60% across the board. There are fears some federations would be unable to survive, with some — nearly four months into the financial year — having already spent cash they thought they'd receive based on earlier three-year agreements with the department of sport, arts & culture (DSAC). Sascoc is expected to issue a statement in the next day or so, although the Sunday Times has been told one possible retaliation could be to boycott DSAC's annual sports awards banquet at Sun City next month. McKenzie and Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi were present at the LIV Golf announcement alongside golfer Louis Oosthuizen and the tour's CEO Scott O'Neil at the JCB Golf and Country Club, which is hosting this week's UK 2025 event. They announced a multi-year deal with LIV, with the first event taking place at Steyn City in Johannesburg from March 20-22.
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Increased depth in South African athletics is raising the standard
The country has never had so many athletes competing on the international track and field circuit. Middle-distance runner Prudence Sekgodiso is one of four SA athletes among the top five of their events in the Diamond League standings. Picture: Cecilia van Bers/Gallo Images There have been golden periods when South Africa has had more quality at the highest level of international track and field, but athletics in this country is experiencing unprecedented depth. On Tuesday, there were a total of 16 athletes competing at World Athletics Continental Tour meetings in Switzerland and Italy. We also have 70 youth and junior athletes competing this week at the African U18 and U20 Championships, and next week a full national squad will turn out at the World Student Games. On top of this, we've never had so many athletes competing on the top-flight Diamond League circuit. At the Rabat leg of the series earlier this season we had 10 South Africans competing at one meeting. There have been seasons in which we haven't had 10 athletes competing throughout the entire Diamond League campaign. In order to improve the quality at the top and rake in more medals at major global championships, increasing the depth is key. Diamond League performances Already we're seeing the benefits of this, with four South African athletes lying in the top five of their events in the Diamond League standings. Akani Simbine is top of the table in the men's 100m event, Prudence Sekgodiso is in second place in the women's 800m, Jo-Ane du Plessis is lying second in the women's javelin throw, and Zakithi Nene is fifth in the men's 400m. The depth in sprinting has also made a big difference in boosting our relay teams, with the nation showcasing its strength at the World Athletics Relays earlier this year where the SA squad picked up three medals (including two gold). Hopefully some of these athletes and relay teams can carry their form through to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September, where they will be gunning for podium places. Group effort The sport is in a good space at the moment, thanks to support from Sascoc (through its Operation Excellence programme) and Athletics South Africa (which has organised multiple relay camps in recent years). Coaches are also playing an important role, with pockets of excellence emerging across the country, while the athletes' agents also deserve credit for getting so many individuals into top-tier and lower-tier international meetings. As long as the depth continues to improve, there will be a rise in quality, and considering the talent we have coming through, things are looking good in the long-term build-up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
TimesLIVE
31-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
In the money
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) held a media day this week, informing journalists of their plans for Los Angeles 2028. Athletes have been getting antsy about not receiving financial support from Sascoc's Operation Excellence programme, but Oddballs was pleased to hear the funding scheme for medal hopefuls was due to kick in from today. Apparently budgets needed to be finalised and approved. ..
