It is our opinion that doping in sport is not dissimilar to recreational substance abuse. Our campaigns in sport to fight the scourge of doping can also serve to address drug abuse in our society. In these campaigns we should use our sports heroes as role models. They must not only be vocal on the topic of antidoping and drug abuse, they should be the heroes and the heroines and the champions who set the example. I know that, as we speak, we can rely on them to assist us in this drive against doping.
If and when we identify the real culprits of doping in sport, we must act decisively against them. It is here that we call on the federations to comply with the Act because failure to comply by the federations will result in punitive measures by Sport and Recreation SA.
Clause 17(a) of the Bill makes provision for investigating and dealing with national sports federations that do not comply with the Act. The section is in fact very clear: action by the Department of Sport and Recreation may include withdrawal of government funding, banning such federations from administrating sport or a recommendation to Sascoc to withhold the awarding of national colours to the members of such federations.
While the Act provides for this, I am absolutely convinced that it will never be necessary to use it because our federations have always supported measures aimed at promoting the values of fair play. We thank the federations in advance for their unqualified support and co-operation in this regard.
South Africa continues to play a central role in the fight against doping in sport internationally and on the African continent. We represent Africa on both the executive and foundation boards of the World Anti-Doping Agency and our Minister of Sport and Recreation, uMfundisi [Rev] Makhenkesi Stofile is a member of that body. We also host the African regional office of the World Anti-Doping Agency here in Cape Town and that is something that we as South Africans are extremely proud of. While it is important to be vigilant about doping practices in sport, it is equally important that we, on the other hand, increase our support to athletes to enable them to perform to the best of their ability without using drugs. Many of our athletes are currently in the national academy programme. This programme is funded by government and co-ordinated by Sascoc.
Our athletes are attending camps in preparation for the All Africa Games in 2007 and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. At these camps, the athletes and coaches receive the necessary scientific and medical support that will help them to achieve their optimal potential.
Our ultimate goal and objective is to place our athletes and teams in the residential long-term athletes' development programme in cycles of four years. To this end, we hope and trust that it will be within our means as government to shortly announce an athletes' assistance programme where our top athletes as well as those with the best potential will be financially supported on a monthly basis.
The intention of government in introducing this Bill is clear. We want our athletes to excel in a dope-free environment. We therefore ask the support of this hon House and all political parties in achieving this objective for all our athletes. I thank you.