Department of Sport and Recreation
Regulations regarding the recognition of sport and recreation bodies have been published in notice 641 of Government Gazette 34509 dated 10 August 2011.
Made under National Sport and Recreation Act 110 of 1998 and after consultation with the national sports confederation, inter alia the new regulations set out procedures regarding an application for recognition as a sport or recreation body and the responsibilities of a body once recognised.
According to the regulations, such a body is required to comply with existing anti-doping legislation and with the relevant provisions of South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Act 14 of 1997.
For a sport or recreation body to be recognised, it should:
• be properly constituted and operate according to democratic principles;
• have a formal written constitution and a democratically elected committee operating in a transparent, accountable and responsible manner;
• demonstrate an agreed level of management and financial accountability and stability;
• have affiliates or member bodies drawn from at least five provinces and functioning within the principles of good governance;
• provide a development programme and an equity plan; and
• be recognised by a relevant international controlling body.
According to the new regulations, participation in any sport or recreation body must be open to all sections of the community and not restricted for reasons of cost, gender or disability – or for any other reason constituting direct or indirect discrimination.
All existing sport or recreation bodies have twelve months within which to comply with the criteria for recognition.
Sabinet Cape Town Office
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