Criticism for lack of financial support is ‘regrettable’, says sports minister Gayton McKenzie

Criticism for lack of financial support is ‘regrettable’, said sports minister Gayton McKenzie following four-time Olympic medallist Tatjana Smith's announcement that she will now compete for the Netherlands. Although Smith had previously spoken out against Swimming South Africa (SSA) over withheld prize money, she did not target the government.

However, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) faced backlash on social media for not doing enough to support athletes and federations. SSA had informed swimmers that they needed to fund their own travel to the World Short Course Championships in Beijing, while the sports ministry had already provided R3 million to support South African men’s and women’s teams for the Hockey World Cup.

The department defended its actions, stating that athletes' federations were responsible for supporting their own athletes, despite DSAC receiving criticism for alleged mismanagement in previous years. McKenzie emphasized that Smith had received multiple recognitions at the SA Sport Awards and prize money for each award received.

He also pointed out that national sport federations received government grants, but that athletes' travel expenses were not covered. McKenzie acknowledged that national federations were independent of government and that the department could not fund all of their costs. He wished Smith well in her new competition and hoped she would continue to play a significant role in South African sports in the future.