Question NW3174 to the Minister of Sport and Recreation
07 October 2015 - NW3174
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
(1) Whether the Government is or was in any way involved in the Local Action Committee (LAC) of the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup Tournament, the SA Football Association (Safa) and the Diaspora Project; if not, (a) in what way was the Government then involved in the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup Tournament, (b) on what legal grounds was the relationship between the Government and Safa founded and (c) what amount did the Government budget for and spend on the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup Tournament and the eventual hosting of this event; if so, (i) what was or is the legal nature and extent of the Government's involvement in each case, (ii) what were the reasons why the LAC's ordinary members (aa) were never aware of any donations made by South Africa to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) and (bb) could not study and approve the LAC's final, audited financial statements for the 2009-10 financial year and (iii) why did the Diaspora Project specifically target the Concacaf for a donation, rather than places in the diaspora where many more Africans are found, such as in the United Kingdom; (2) whether he is aware that none of the LAC's ordinary members (a) were aware of any donations made by South Africa to the Concacaf and (b) were ever able to study and approve the final, audited financial statements of the LAC for the 2009-10 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he is aware that none of Safa's ordinary members knew of any donation made by South Africa to the Concacaf?
Reply:
The government's involvement in the Local Organising Commitee (LOC) has been through Various Cabinet resolutions endorsing SAFA's bid to host the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup and also through its representation on the Board of the LOC by various former Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The Government of the Republic of South Africa had accepted and welcomed the Close out report of the Local Organising Committee as adopted and approved by its board. The highest concentration of Africans in the Diaspora, where Africans are also leading governments is not in the UK but the Carribean.