Dylan Bettencourt
The South African government has confirmed that the stars of the Commonwealth Games will receive bonuses, but it has not been revealed how much the athletes will get.
The sports ministry said on Tuesday that funding for the bonuses will come from both the government and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
Sascoc will make an announcement in due course, according to Sumayya Khan, a deputy director general in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
South Africa only managed to earn 27 medals at the games in Birmingham in England, which was the country’s worst result since 1994.
However it was not all doom and gloom. Female athletes won plaudits by outshining their male counterparts.
Before the event began, reports indicated that athletes would be paid R60,000 for each gold medal and R20,000 for each bronze medal.
Coaches were also awarded payments ranging from R5,000 to R10,000 for medal victories.
The Commonwealth Games is considered a “premium event” which allows for Sascoc recognition, unlike the African Athletics Championship that took place in June.
“It’s important to note that this isn’t the only recognition system we have,” Khan said.
“The recognition for Banyana, for example, was for really exceptional accolades.”
Banyana will get R15 million in bonuses from the government, an increase from the R5.8 million initially promised, after their triumph in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“In terms of Banyana, they’re part of what we call our ‘seize the moment’ initiative, where we have to recognise an achievement more immediately. We can’t wait for the sports awards. It’s hot off the press, so to speak.
“There are various other platforms for other great achievements,” Khan said.
Image source: @TheCitizen
