The recently appointed minister has announced some good news for the ex-players
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has assured South African football legends of better treatment going forward as he continues to initiate reforms.
McKenzie has taken little time to make his presence felt since being appointed in his new role and made significant changes in his docket, including the scrapping of funding to superfans to various international tournaments.
He believes the reforms were needed to bring some sanity and among those set to benefit are South African legends.
‘You will get invites to go watch your national teams’
“I am going to recognise legends, they are going to play an integral part in the football of this country,” McKenzie said in his speech, during the funeral ceremony of Orlando Pirates legend Stanley Tshabalala on Thursday.
“Legends have been left behind and officials are going to sporting events, I stopped that nonsense. Some of you legends, you will get invites to go watch your national teams.”
McKenzie, who has been vocal on social media over some of his decisions, has been fighting for sportsmen and women to be given priority and divided opinion when he stopped funding to the fans early this month.
McKenzie wants resources channeled to athletes & artists
“I have stopped all trips for super fans, we have athletes & artists who are struggling to raise money to attend sporting events and exhibitions, how do we justify paying for fans? We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed the most,” McKenzie posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He proposed reallocating the resources used to fund trips for superfans to support athletes or artists struggling to afford attending sporting events or exhibitions.
