R 37.5 million Gauteng soccer match could have gone to sports development – DA
JOBURG - The Democratic Alliance recently argued that the R37.5 million spent on a soccer match earlier this year could have been used in schools and other facilities.
R37.5 million was spent on, among other things, a friendly soccer match between Bafana Bafana and Brazil, said Gauteng Premier David Makhura in a written response to the Democratic Alliance.
The DA recently posed questions regarding the alllocated budget for 20 years of Freedom and Democracy Celebration and to their surprise the money was spent on a single match.
The match was held at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 March earlier this year.
The DA’s chief whip of the opposition in the Gauteng legislature Mike Moriarty informed that “the party fully supports the concept of nation-building through sports events and notable celebrations. However, “questions have to be asked regarding the ultimate benefit of such a vast amount of money spent on just one match,” he argued that “Indeed, it amounts to almost R8 million for each goal scored against us.”
Moriarty stated that the R37.5 million could have been used in schools and other facilities to uplift and develop the province’s youth and future hopeful soccer stars.
“Sport is an incredibly important social cohesive and nation builder, however, money must be directed to lasting and legacy-based projects where our most vulnerable communities are able to benefit for years to come,” concluded Moriarty.
