Gayton McKenzie says national athletes should not carry the financial burden of representing South Africa, as government supports hockey teams heading to the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has approved R3 million in departmental financial assistance to ensure South Africa’s men’s and women’s national hockey teams participate fully funded at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The intervention follows reports that the South African Hockey Association (SA Hockey) was facing a funding shortfall of approximately R3 million ahead of the tournament, with players at risk of having to personally cover significant costs associated with representing the country.
The tournament will be held from 14 to 30 August, with both South African teams arriving as reigning African champions in the men’s and women’s competitions.
McKenzie said the funding was necessary to support athletes who had earned their place at the global tournament after years of commitment and sacrifice.
