Minister McKenzie approves R3 million lifeline for SA hockey ahead of world cup

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has approved R3 million in financial assistance to ensure South Africa's men's and women's national hockey teams are fully funded to compete at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands from 14 to 30 August.

The funding intervention comes after the South African Hockey Association (SA Hockey) faced a funding shortfall of about R3 million, raising concerns that players would be forced to contribute tens of thousands of rand towards travel, accommodation, visas and tournament expenses.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said it was unacceptable for athletes who had earned their place on the world stage to shoulder the financial burden of representing the country.

"Our hockey players have already done South Africa proud by qualifying as reigning African champions. Representing South Africa is a national honour and should never become a personal financial burden," McKenzie said.

The funding will be transferred once a formal funding agreement has been concluded and SA Hockey has complied with governance, financial management and reporting requirements.

As part of the conditions attached to the financial assistance, SA Hockey must provide a detailed report explaining the circumstances that led to the funding shortfall, account for how the funds are spent, and submit a Financial Turnaround Plan aimed at improving the organisation's long-term financial sustainability and governance.

McKenzie stressed that the financial intervention was a once-off measure made in the national interest to safeguard South Africa's participation at the World Cup. He said it should not be viewed as a precedent for government to routinely cover operational or financial shortfalls experienced by national sporting federations.

The department added that it continues to work with sporting federations to strengthen governance and financial resilience to prevent similar funding crises ahead of major international competitions.

The minister also wished both the men's and women's national teams success as they prepare to represent South Africa at the prestigious global tournament next month.