FAN takes aim at racial discrimination in sport – demands clarity from SASCOC
Freedom Advocacy Network
Media Statement
17 May 2022
FAN takes aim at racial discrimination in sport – demands clarity from SASCOC
The Freedom Advocacy Network (FAN), as part of its FreedomToPlay campaign, has sent a formal request for access to information to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to seek clarity on the sporting body’s stance on non-racialism. FAN’s communication asserts that race has no place in South African sport. The request was sent in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, which aims to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public bodies.
In its request, FAN demands of SASCOC that it disclose all race-based policies that it has adopted and indicate whether there are any financial benefits associated with requiring its affiliated sporting bodies to apply race-based quotas.
Non-racialism, as enshrined in the Constitution, is a key priority for FAN and the best data and research show that a vast majority of South Africans find common ground on this issue. Young South Africans today should no longer be shackled to the mistakes of the past – a past they bear no responsibility for. Getting racial discrimination and division out of sport is crucial to achieving the free and prosperous non-racial country that ordinary and decent South Africans hope and work for.
“South African sport has for long enough been marred by a new wave of viral racialisation, as is evident in the recent atrocious handling of Proteas cricket coach Mark Boucher. FAN will not allow race hustlers to keep racial division and antagonism alive in South African sport,” says Tiego Thotse, operations and advocacy manager at the Freedom Advocacy Network. “South Africa has before experienced the toxic pariah status that comes with making racial division a foundational principle in sport. FAN, with the help of our supporters and members, will not allow this to happen again.”
SASCOC has until mid-June to respond to FAN’s request for access to information.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Tiego Thotse
FAN Operations and Advocacy Manager
Cell: +27 68 092 3035
Hermann Pretorius
FAN Managing Director
Cell: +27 79 875 4290