WeeklySA_AdminMcKENZIE TEA WITH SAFA
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie met with a South African Football Association (SAFA) delegation led by President Dr Danny Jordaan in Tshwane on Thursday afternoon.
Minister McKenzie was accompanied by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe and several members of the department.
Dr Jordaan was accompanied by Vice Presidents Anastasia Tsichlas, Linda Zwane and Bennett Bailey, CEO Lydia Monyepao and members of the SAFA National Executive Committee.
Minister McKenzie said the department was happy to welcome the SAFA delegation to the capital and would support the Association.
“This administration, we are very, very vibrant, we are active, we are transparent, and we are action people. That’s what you’re going to get from us.
So, we’re coming here and saying how can we help you because I can tell you that is how you can help us,” the Minister said. Dr Jordaan was very happy after the warm reception received by the SAFA delegation.
“We are quite encouraged by this engagement with the Minister, and we look forward to further engagements like these in the future. This has been an incredibly fruitful meeting with the Minister, and we are happy,” the SAFA President said.
JOYLESS BOTHA
New SA sports Minister Gayton McKenzie on Tuesday unceremoniously called time on the careers of super-fans in South Africa. The two faces of the ‘super-fans’ as they are known, Mama Joy Chauke and Botha Msila attended the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, which cost SA taxpayers in the region of R1.3 million.
The outspoken leader of the Patriotic Alliance, McKenzie has already caused a stir since he took office, with his new vision for sport in the country – most notably saying he wants to make spinning the biggest sport in the nation.
McKenzie made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday: “I have stopped all trips for super fans, we have athletes & artist who are struggling to raise money to attend sporting events and exhibitions, how do we justify paying for fans?
We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed the most.”
WE WUZZ ROBBED!
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman criticised the use of video assistant referees (VAR) for “breaking football” after England were awarded a contentious penalty in Wednesday’s tense Euro 2024 semi-final.
The Dutch had taken an early lead through Xavi Simons’ powerful strike but Gareth Southgate’s side were handed a lifeline when Harry Kane was caught on the follow-through by Denzel Dumfries after the England captain had already shot over the bar.
No penalty was given originally but referee Felix Zwayer then pointed to the spot after he was advised to go to the monitor by VAR.
Kane levelled with the spot-kick and substitute Ollie Watkins struck a 90th-minute winner to send England to Sunday’s final, where they will play Spain. “In my opinion it should not have been a penalty,” said Koeman.
PAOLUNI JAZZ
Jasmine Paolini edged out a tearful Donna Vekic in a thrilling semi-final to become the first Italian to reach a Wimbledon women’s singles final. In one of the best matches of the tournament,
Paolini missed two match points and was 8-7 behind in the 10-point tie-break before recovering to clinch an incredible victory.
The match lasted two hours 51 minutes, making it the longest women’s singles semi-final at Wimbledon, with the Italian winning 2-6 6-4 7-6 (10-8).
Paolini, who had never won a match at this tournament before this year, said: “I was serving really bad so I am so happy. This match I will remember forever.
“I was just trying to think about what to do on the court, point by point, because I was really in difficulty.”
