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 to ensure South Africa's men's and women's national hockey teams will be fully funded for next month's FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The decision comes after the South African Hockey Association (SA Hockey) faced a funding shortfall of about R3 million, raising concerns that players would have to pay their own way to the tournament.
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.
