Hockey struggles for funding: McKenzie approves R3m financial aid for World Cup
The South African Hockey Association launched crowdfunding after players said some must contribute about R68,000 each for World Cup preparations.
- On Thursday, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie announced R3 million in funding to enable the South African Men's and Women's National Hockey Teams to participate fully in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from 14 to 30 August.
- This intervention follows public appeals from Onthatile Zulu, a player in the national women's team, who revealed that athletes faced personal contributions of about R68,000 toward World Cup preparations, straining team morale.
- Zulu criticized the support disparity, citing the R31 million spent by the Department of Sport on the FIFA World Cup delegation. "As a national player, I was very triggered by the amount of money that was spent going to support Bafana Bafana," Zulu shared.
- Strict accountability measures accompany the grant; McKenzie required the South African Hockey Association to submit a comprehensive report on the funding shortfall and a financial turnaround plan before funds transfer.
- Competition begins in Belgium and the Netherlands from 14 to 30 August, with supporters hoping the investment ensures stability as both teams fly the country's flag at the World Cup.
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McKenzie approves R3m funding to help SA hockey teams participate in World Cup
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has approved R3 million funding to ensure South Africa’s men’s and women’s hockey teams participate fully funded at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Hockey struggles for funding: McKenzie approves R3m financial aid for World Cup
As the countdown to the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup accelerates, both South Africa’s Men’s and Women’s National Hockey Teams face financial strains that threaten their preparation and participation in this prestigious event, Cape {town} Etc reports. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has allocated a modest R3 million in governmental assistance for the teams, a move that has... Read more → The post Hockey struggles for funding: Mc…
South African Hockey Welcomes Government Support For World Cup Campaigns
The South African Hockey Association has welcomed the decision by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Gayton McKenzie, to approve R3 million in financial assistance towards the participation of South Africa’s Men’s and Women’s national teams at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. SA Hockey’s fundraising appeal was made to the broader South African public and business community as the Association worked to close the remaining funding gap for …
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