Metro: ‘Our back is not turned on disabled sport’

This follows the metro’s recent financial sponsorship termination for the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) Gauteng Open.

The wheelchair tennis tournament takes place annually at the Gauteng East Tennis Complex, in Lakefield, ahead of the Acsa South African Open, which takes place at Ellis Park the following week.

When asked why the metro terminated the sponsorship, spokesman Themba Gadebe said: “The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality did not sponsor this event, but supported it due to the fact that the event is hosted in our city.”

With regards to the local ward councillor’s sentiments that the metro has turned its back on sports for the disabled, Gadebe replied: “The metro supports various local disabled sportspersons and this statement is therefore not true.

“This is a high-performance, once-off event which does not have a direct impact on our sporting community.

“As per our letter dated August 13, 2015, it was clear that the Sport and Recreation Department will focus on continuous programmes that make an impact on our communities rather than once-off events which do not involve the local community.

“This is due to the decrease in the department’s allocated budget.”

When asked to clarify the agreement that was in place with Wheelchair Tennis South Africa for the Acsa Gauteng Open, Gadebe said that no formal agreement was in place and that the metro supported the event with the following during the 2015 event:

• Security: R12 161,79
• Tents: R11 804,70
• Catering: R 18 525.00

“This is over and above the cost incurred for the resurfacing of courts, change of ablutions to accommodate wheelchairs and making the courts accessible,” added the spokesman.

“The metro will still ensure that the facility is in good condition as per our normal maintenance of sporting facilities.

“We will also continue to support sport for the disabled.”