SAFSA urges rethink on sports funding cuts

SAFSA President Christo Viljoen.

The South African Figure Skating Association (SAFSA) has added its voice to growing concern across the sports community following news that national federations will face major funding cuts and that it seems SASCOC itself will receive no government funding.

“This is deeply worrying,” says SAFSA President Christo Viljoen. “We all want to see South African athletes compete and win on the world stage. But that kind of success does not happen by chance. It starts with development, coaching and real support at the grassroots level. For that, federations rely on stable funding.”

Viljoen says while SAFSA understands that budgets are tight, slashing support undermines the long-term goal of building winning teams and athletes across codes.

“Smaller sports especially cannot absorb these cuts without serious impact,” he says. “We are calling for a constructive conversation with government to find a way forward.”

He adds that SAFSA fully supports SASCOC’s efforts to engage urgently with the Minister of Sport. “We stand with all sporting codes in asking for fair and consistent investment. Without it, we risk losing a generation of young athletes.”