Level 3 sports regulations draw derision from opponents

The much-anticipated level 3 sports regulations were gazetted this week but they left man including the Democratic Alliance scratching their heads.

Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa is in the firing line for gazetting regulations that appear to be both inconsistent and at times nonsensical.

The DA slam level 3 sports regulations

DA Shadow Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Tsepo Mhlongo is unsurprisingly among Mthethwa’s harshest critics.

In a press release issued on Friday Mhlongo slammed the department’s regulations which he says “are littered with contradictions and irrational exclusions”.

Mhlongo has pointed out that the regulations, far from clarifying a path forward for sport has left many professional and elite athletes in the dark while others make little to no sense such as the stipulation that motorsports are allowed to ‘train’ but not hold events.

This have just been gazettes now. My email has put pressure.Haibo pool sport not listed.Chess is allowed but not pool & snooker @NathiMthethwaSA left swimming,also no horse racing but horse racing has been going since 1 June ?‍♀️not all non contact sports are allowed under level 3 https://t.co/21xnFh6K1m

— People's servant (@tsepomhlongo) June 11, 2020

Nonsensical regulations

In his broadside of Mthethwa, Mhlongo picked out six points that exemplify the confusion caused by the newly gazetted regulations.

1. Non-contact sports such as weightlifting and power-lifting are not allowed;
2. Chess is allowed, but pool and snooker have been excluded;
3. Motorsport can only “train”;
4. Power-boating is excluded and cannot train;
5. Swimming is excluded despite the fact that triathlons, which comprises of swimming, is permitted; and
6. Training and matches will remain prohibited in hot spot areas.

More questions than answers

“Quite frankly, these regulations leave the sports sector with more questions than answers and further worsens the pain and agony brought about by the pandemic on South African sports,” said Mhlongo.

“The DA calls on Minister Mthethwa to provide clarity on these contradictory regulations.”

Sport in the dark

The shadow minister said that Mthethwa’s department had left sportspeople in the lurch during lockdown doing little to ensure they are able to keep their heads above water financially let alone prepare to achieve future success in their respective arenas.

“Most athletes have been unable to access a stable income during the lockdown, and the resumption of non-contact sports will bring relief to them,” Mhlongo added.

“Since the beginning of the lockdown the sector has suffered from a lack of support from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture in employing its relief measures – leaving athletes out in the cold in terms of both information and aid.

“The DA will continue being the eyes and ears of men and women in sport and will continue to put pressure on government to make rational decisions that can be backed up by research.”