26-07-2025
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.
