Sports Minister Kodwa Addresses SAFA Bid Withdrawal and Reaffirms Commitment to Clean Sport

In a press conference in Pretoria, Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa conveyed his standpoint on the contentious decision concerning the South African Football Association's (SAFA) withdrawal from the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid, emphasizing the importance of transparency and government alignment in such ambitious endeavours.

Last week, SAFA made a sudden and dramatic decision to retract its World Cup bid, leading to widespread speculation. Reports suggest that this hasty retreat was a consequence of governmental dissatisfaction with elements of SAFA's proposal, prompting the withdrawal of indispensable guarantees for the bid's progression.

City Press hinted at a dispute in which Kodwa, during a pivotal meeting, impressed upon SAFA President Danny Jordaan the government's reservations regarding backing the bid. While confirming that there were frank exchanges, Kodwa eschewed the description of the meeting as adversarial or of a 'boxing match' nature.

Meetings with substantial financial implications, such as a World Cup bid, entail rigorous scrutiny and demand firm backing with credible financial plans – a task that ultimately leads to discussions at the cabinet level, requiring clear answers and strong leadership.

Kodwa highlighted the government's stipulation laid out in November 2022, indicating support for SAFA's initial exploration to host the World Cup, yet clarified that such support should not be misconstrued as a financial commitment by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, or any other government body.

Contrary to perceptions of government displeasure over SAFA's bid, Kodwa nuanced his views, citing the role of the government in facilitating guarantees rather than direct financial contributions. He stated that sports federations must come well-prepared with substantial proposals that consider hosting logistics and expenses, rather than seeking outright government funding.

The Minister also referenced the success of Cricket South Africa (CSA) in securing the ICC Under-19 World Cup without financial input from the government, yet with essential guarantees – a model for how sporting associations might effectively engage with public authorities.

Kodwa proceeded to explain the role governments play in hosting World Cups, which involves providing a range of guarantees from the accessibility of the country and financial support environments, to ensuring adequate facilities, safety, healthcare, transportation, accommodation, and telecommunications.

The Minister concluded by reiterating the support for SAFA's decision to postpone its bid, indicating the potential for a more comprehensively prepared proposal for the 2031 World Cup, in line with expectations.