Question NW1257 to the Minister if Sport, Arts and Culture
04 June 2021 - NW1257
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister if Sport, Arts and Culture
(1)(a) What amount has been spent in preparation for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and (b) how is the budget in the 2020-21 financial year different from previous budgets given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy of the Republic; (2) Whether he, in collaboration with relevant associations involved in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has made contingent measures in the event where the Olympics are either postponed or cancelled; if not, why not; if so, what (a) amount is the expected loss in revenue and (b) are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a). The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee indicated that subsequent to the postponement of the Games, funds were only spent on PR and Media in relation to the Marketing of the Games e.g. 100 days to Olympic Games. The amount spent is R349, 351, 17.
Funding amounting to $60.000 has also been provided to participating National Federations that have a potential to qualify for the Games and these funds were an allocation from ANOCA in relation to athlete’s preparation. It must be noted that the procured sponsorship such as Mr Price Sport has taken care of some costs within the projected budget such as Team SA Clothing and others as SASCOC continue to procure more sponsorships. Noting measures put in place by the IOC/ IPC, Tokyo 2020 and the Japan Government towards ensuring safe Games, SASCOC has an obligation to appoint a Covid-19 Liaison Officer in the lead up to the games as per the guidelines from the Playbook. Costs have been spent in this regard.
(b). SASCOC further indicated that there has been no impact on the operational budget of the organization. However, from a games delivery perspective, particularly for Tokyo, the budget is different as follows:-
- Additional provisions need to be made to comply with all Covid-19 protocols prescribed by the IOC/IPC. These include staggered arrival of athletes to the Village, extended camps due to quarantine requirements and the appointment of a Covid-19 Liaison Officer in the lead up to the games
- Cost of flights may increase due to the shortest possible lay over being a priority rather than cost effectiveness.
- Flights may be more costly than previously with some airlines not yet flying and therefore there is very little pricing competition.
- There will be limited interaction and stay by the athletes as they will arrive just before their event and leave immediately after. The cost of maintaining the athletes at the games will therefore be reduced.
- There has been savings on competition tickets and NOC guest’s costs due to no foreign spectators being allowed entry into Tokyo
(2). SASCOC indicated that the organization follows the directive from the IOC and IPC. The IOC and IPC are not considering a cancelation nor have they addressed contingencies for a cancellation. The Games are going ahead, albeit managed and staged differently in light of Covid-19.
(a)(b). should the games be cancelled there would be no loses as no payments have as yet been made towards the team delivery to the games. It will be a huge loss for all the sponsors and mainly the clothing ones as they commenced with design and producing clothing for Team South Africa