There is a distinct possibility that the Springbok rugby team may soon have to compete in the World Cup tournament without the national flag or the national anthem.
Misguided ANC priorities and sheer incompetence may quite possibly result in government missing the deadline to update its legislation regarding drug-free sport.
The relevant legislation must be adopted by Parliament before 13 October to meet the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
It is impossible to meet this deadline seeing as nothing has been done to commence the formal processes to amend the relevant legislation.
Any country that does not comply will have to compete in international sporting events under a neutral flag and may also not host any prominent sporting events.
Over the last few years, nation building has increasingly been promoted by sporting events where sportspeople’s performances temporarily establish some sense of cohesion among South Africans.
The fact that government failed to fulfil its obligations relating to the legislation could undo it all, and once again demonstrates how hollow ANC rhetoric about nation building really is.
However, when it comes to legislation that the ANC can use as propaganda during the pre-election year – like the Employment Equity Act, the NHI Act and the issue of expropriation without compensation – no stone is left unturned. Regardless of how detrimental it may be to the country and its people.
The code and requirements of the international doping watchdog in sport were amended on 1 January 2021 already, but the deadline by which countries need to comply with it by means of their legislation was postponed to 13 October.
According to reports, the Department of Sport, Art and Culture was advised to commence the necessary processes a year ago already.
But so far, no such legislation has been tabled in the relevant Portfolio Committee and as a result, it will most probably not be finalised in the current parliamentary term.
The FF Plus is convinced that the Springboks do have the potential to win the World Cup. If the international regulations on drugs in sport are enforced, though, the possibility that the team may have to receive the cup without the anthem or flag is not far-fetched.
It will be an unprecedented sporting embarrassment for every South African.
The ANC government has already become an embarrassment for South Africans in every other area. So, voters simply cannot pass up the opportunity to get rid of the ruling party next year.
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