Reddy was reacting to earlier media reports that claimed the Sports Minister had acted irregularly.

“SASCOC were asked why we as SASCOC didn’t take action after Senior Counsel had shown there was non-disclosure involved,” said Reddy. “What I, in fact, was clarifying to the Board of Inquiry was that neither the Honourable Minister nor ourselves were investigating the issue. Both parties were playing an observation role. The entire process was conducted by Cricket South Africa.

“We offered jointly as Ministry and ourselves to identify an audit company with Cricket South Africa and then CSA president Mtutuzeli Nyoka identified the company himself.”

Offering further elaboration on SASCOC’s role in the cricket saga, Reddy said: “The other issue is that in the first instance, when the saga initially broke, the minister immediately engaged with the CSA leadership in an attempt to understand and come up with a speedy resolution.

“Therefore we at SASCOC could not investigate, as per the Sports Act, which says that we must act on these matters and only if we are unable to do so, must the minister be brought in.

“So to say that we at SASCOC are pointing fingers at the Minister of Sport is way off the mark. Even if we wanted to act, the Minister had already engaged CSA’s leadership. He in fact then invited us to join them and play an observation role which is precisely why I attended subsequent CSA board meetings.

“We were observers all along, even in Port Elizabeth when the acting chairman asked for an opinion. I informed him immediately that I was unable to venture an opinion as I was reserving the rights of SASCOC.”

Reddy went on to say that SASCOC enjoyed an excellent relationship with Minister Mbalula and looked forward to working closely with the Sports Ministry on the way forward for South African sport.

Day three saw a fitting finish to this breakthrough development venture. UK consultant Christina Dennis introduced her theory of a strong and positive mindset, Dr Frank Dick (OBE) summed up the importance of the overall initiative and other foreign advisors Pat Duffy and Istvan Balyi also gave their final input.

Several national coaches and managers shared their 2012 Olympic qualifying plans and preparation leading into the London Games. SA Rowing are hopeful of two medals, SA boxing believe three are mandate while SA Swimming confirmed they’ll only take a team of athletes who have a chance of achieving podium finishes. The sporting federation leaders and coaches in the audience were also given the opportunity to ask questions before returning home to implement the coaching framework principles.

SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy closed official proceedings by stating that the coaching framework can only be successful with the help of all the respective federations. He then read the declaration, which was signed by everyone at the conference, before awarding certificates to the project partners, sponsors, consultants and workmen.

Sam and Mbalula then urged all those in attendance to make this initiative a success, which would strengthen South African sport.
‘I’m confident that this is what South African sport has been looking for. As we heard from Pat Duffy, this is ground-breaking project which has not been done in the world before. Go out there and use this tool,’ said Sam, who also confirmed that there will be another coaching framework conference in November next year and encouraged more coaches to attend. ‘Next year we expect a bigger venue, for you are going to form the backbone of South African sport.’

Mbalula closed the event by saying: ‘Tomorrow is the start of the Sports Indaba. We don’t want any more theories. As a nation we must move together. What we do today will determine our sports industry.

‘We need to take our sport to another level. I am confident that in the next 20 years, South Africa will never be the same. We need to have more action, less talk. From Sports and Recreation South Africa, I thank you all for being here and showing your initiative to take South african sport further.’

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Health Dr Gwen Ramakgopa, along with Discovery Health CEO Dr Jonathan Broomberg will host the dinner alongside the non-profit organisation SHWAA. The theme for his year’s gala is “remembering those less fortunate”.

Currently in its 10th year, SHWAA is about “sport people uniting and getting involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS”, says founder and manager Cynthia Tshaka.  “Each year we walk from one province to the next raising funds for HIV/AIDS Hospices all over South Africa. This year is our 10th year and we are looking forward to our walk to the KZN Province,” Tshaka continues.

The project is endorsed by and is one of SANAC’s flagships, in the Sport & Entertainment Sector. SHWAA donates to different HIV/AIDS Hospices from a different province every year. “And we have added an element of also donating sport equipment to these communities, to make sure that sport is really used to change people’s lives” Tshaka concludes.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be David O’Sullivan, a seasoned journalist, television and radio broadcaster, and the evening promises to be one of focusing on social upliftment as guests are provided with entertainment by the Bala Brothers.

Among the guests are SASCOC President Gideon Sam, former cricket boss Dr Ali Bacher, former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, members of the South African and Australian cricket teams, Danny Jordaan, Mandisa Dlamini (daughter of the late AIDS activist Gugu Dlamini) just to mention a few.

The tables were on offer for R20 000 each. That will comprise nine people who will be joined by a sports personality. Among the sporting table hosts are Naas Botha, Imtiaz Patel, Owen Nkumane, Malcolm Klassen, Natalie du Toit and Oscar Pistorius.

Mr Moemi replaces acting DG, Ms Sumayya Khan, who filled the post after the death of former DG Mr Vernie Pietersen.

Ms Khan reverts to her post as Chief Operating Officer.

SASCOC President Gideon Sam said: “We strive for a close working relationship with the SRSA and I am sure the new DG will further strengthen this relationship. It is vital South African sport shares a common goal and I am sure Mr Moemi has great visions for our sport.

“I also want to thank Ms Khan for her contribution. She did a fantastic job in continuing the late Vernie Pietersen’s good work.”

Sapa reports that Dr. Nyoka did not attend the meeting on grounds of ill health but did send a deposition that was read out and recorded in the minutes.

The Members’ Forum after deliberation decided that Dr. Noyoka was not in a position to offer leadership. They also resolved to appoint the current vice-president, Mr AK Khan, as acting President until the next annual meeting in the middle of next year.

Mr. Khan said he was both honoured and humbled by the appointment. “Honesty, integrity and team work are the key characteristics that I intend to bring to the position. I thought our recent Board meeting in Port Elizabeth in August was a watershed moment of unity going forward. We must maintain, preserve and build on that unity.”

The Members’ Forum was also informed that the process of appointing a Legal and Compliance Manager was well advanced and the appointment should be made shortly.

The Audit and Risk Committee will be meeting in November to discuss the policies, procedures and draft documentation in order to present it to the Board for adoption at its first meeting of 2012 in January.

These will streamline the financial policies and procedures, the remuneration policies and procedures and the human resources policies and procedures among other things.

The Members’ Forum was also informed that the issue of the election of the Eastern Province Cricket Board President was a domestic one for the province and would only become an issue for CSA once it was brought before the Board of CSA.

A media briefing at SASCOC’s Olympic House today provided an update on preparations for the 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Durban from 3-9 July 2011 and also coincided with the launch of the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE), to be held in Cape Town from 27-29 July 2011.

Present at the briefing today were Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Fikile Mbalula, IOC Executive Member Mr Sam Ramsamy, SASCOC CEO Mr Tubby Reddy and South African Tourism Chief Marketing Officer, Ms Roshene Singh, who were joined by key players in the tourism and sports industry, as they addressed journalists on the future of sports tourism in South Africa, with the leaders of world sport preparing to converge on Durban in just three weeks time for the IOC Session.

With South Africa’s global reputation as capable mega events hosts firmly established, South Africa will use its hosting of the IOC’s Session in Durban to continue to emphasise to the world’s sporting leaders South Africa’s considerable qualities as a potential host of world-class international sporting events.

“We’ve hosted the world’s football fraternity in South Africa and we’re delighted to now be playing host to the entire Olympic movement in our country. As the South African Government, we’ve thrown our full support behind the success of the IOC Session. We look forward to constructive engagement with the leaders of world sport, as we look to continue entrenching our country’s positive reputation as a major international sports, tourism and events destination and as we look to bid for and host events across the sporting spectrum in South Africa,” said Mbalula.

Ramsamy said the IOC Executive Members, who include heads of state, royalty, international sports administrators, heads of international corporate companies and sports stars, would have an “unforgettable week” in South Africa next month.

“This is a historic moment for Durban, South Africa and for Africa to host the International Olympic Committee for the first time on the continent. This is the first time that such a group is assembling in South Africa and it provides us with abounding opportunities to showcase our economy, our tourism, our culture and our people. We are extremely grateful that the IOC has given us the honour of hosting this prestigious event and preparations are well on track for what promises to be a memorable event,” said Ramsamy.

“We are now, with the IOC, fine-tuning our operational planning and detail for the 123rd IOC session in Durban. Preparations are going extremely well and we are very appreciative of the South African Government’s strong support for this event. As SASCOC we will also use the IOC Session to support the efforts of our federations in looking for opportunities to host major sporting events across all codes,” said Reddy.

While the IOC Session will again showcase South Africa’s capacity as a major international sporting and events destination to a global audience, the two-day SETE conference and exhibition provides the opportunity to formulate a tangible South African sports tourism strategy to maximise the potential of sports and mega events to drive future tourism growth to South Africa.

Leading academics and experts in sports, events and tourism will share their knowledge and expertise with industry leaders at SETE, being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and being hosted by South African Tourism, Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG).

“Globally, sports tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry and with South Africa’s proven capability of hosting major events, as well as our significant infrastructure footprint, it makes sense that we start pursuing sports tourism as a viable route towards achieving our tourism goals. SETE affords us the opportunity to get together as tourism and sports bodies to collaborate towards maximising the potential of hosting sports and mega events. The FIFA World Cup was a major boost for South Africa’s international reputation, but it is important to note that hosting ongoing sustainable events across all sporting codes in South Africa are equally important for us to drive future tourism and economic growth,” said Singh, SA Tourism’s Chief Marketing Officer.

Alongside the strategic discussions at SETE there will be a trade show platform, where international buyers from various global sporting and events corporations will have the opportunity to interact with local sports bodies and agents, destination marketing agencies as well as stadia and other venue stakeholders.

Confirmed speakers at the SETE event include Mr Derek Casey, current Chairperson of the Board of the World Leisure Organisation and former Chief Executive of the UK Sports Council and Sports England, who served as a Bid Director in successfully bringing the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, Scotland, Ms Nanita Ferrone, an international tourism and leisure consultant from Spain (who will present a paper on Barcelona and Spain’s success strategy on hosting mega sporting events) and Holger Preuss, a professor of sport economics and sport sociology at the Institute of Sport Science at the Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany. Holger is also an international scholar at the State University of New York.

South African speakers include Dr Danny Jordaan, the Vice President of the South African Football Association and Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, Mr Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, and Gillian Saunders, Principal and Director at Grant Thornton Strategic Solutions and Head of Grant Thornton Advisory Services.

Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) Managing Director, Carol Weaving, is confident the inaugural SETE event will expedite the urgency to formalise the sports tourism industry.

“South Africa should not be content to simply keep up with global trends. When it comes to hosting sports events, we are a proven global leader and we should start looking at ways to entrench this positioning. This is the ultimate goal of SETE, and we look forward to moderating constructive discussions in this regard,” said Weaving.

The glowing report, delivered by the IOC oversight panel Thursday after a three-day visit, included praise for public works such as a new rapid transit bus system and projects meant to benefit the city in the long run, reports Sapa. “There has been an impressive amount of work,” said Nawal El Moutawakel, head of the International Olympic Committee’s coordination commission. “It will benefit the city greatly.”

Brazil’s Olympic-related plans include doubling the capacity of the international airport, an overhaul of the port, and a new water treatment facility.

Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s director general of the Olympic Games, said Rio’s readiness so far made it a “front-runner” among cities that have hosted the games. Rio will be the first city in South America to host the Olympics.

Mayor Eduardo Paes said Rio had been “doing its homework” and staying on top of deadlines for important improvements.

Hosting successful games also involves dealing with the violence that has long plagued the city’s shantytowns.

Paes said increased police and state presence in slums has cut down on crime and is changing the face of the city. “I’m certain that Rio is ahead of other cities in developed countries that were more experienced in hosting events of this size,” Paes said.
It was the IOC panel’s second visit to Rio since the city was awarded the games in October 2009.

“Rio 2016 has made great strides as an organization,” the IOC said in a statement. “It has developed good plans, made an excellent start to its marketing program, and strong integration can be seen across its departments and with its stakeholders.”

The IOC team visited several of the venues and infrastructure projects for he games. The panel said it was a “fantastic step forward” that Rio had approved its venue for golf, which was voted onto the Olympic program two years ago for the 2016 Games.

Some Rio residents used the IOC visit to protest that the needs of local citizens are being overlooked.

An association of residents from various neighborhoods protesting a newly planned subway route delivered a letter Tuesday to the IOC members, saying changes would benefit the hotel industry rather than poorer residents.

Both Amnesty International and the United Nations have called attention to allegations of rights abuses during the eviction of shantytown residents who live along the planned transit routes.

Nearly 1,000 families have been moved to make way for the Transcarioca, an express highway that will link the far west of the city to the international airport to the north.

According to the city government, the project will require 3,000 homes to be demolished. Resettlement options for those families include homes in neighborhoods 40 or 50 miles (65 or 80 kilometers) away.

The IOC is following the issue closely and is satisfied with responses received, El Moutawakel said.

“I don’t think the idea of having games here is to harm anyone,” she said. “Everything will be done with a very human touch.”

The Session will run from 4-9 July, 2011 and one of the highlights of the Session will be the announcement of the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge and members of the IOC will be in attendance at the Session. In order to attend the Session all media need to be officially accredited.

To apply for online accreditation, media need to visit www.durban2011.co.za and click on the “Accreditation” link. The deadline for this is Wednesday 15 June, 2011.

Media are reminded that should they not have official accreditation they will not be allowed access to the IOC Session.

For any further enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact Kim Schonfeldt at kims@hsm.co.za or 021 416 0141

Dr Ramsamy highlighted that “Heads of State, Royalty, Ministers and former Ministers, International Sports Administrators, Heads of International Corporate Companies and Sports Stars make up the illustrious membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This is the first time that such a group is assembling in South Africa. This provides us with abounding opportunities to showcase our economy, our tourism, our culture and our people. We are extremely grateful that the IOC has given us the honour to host this prestigious event.

“Having been born in Durban, this is indeed a great delight and honour that we can host such a high profile event in this city. Having waited for 117 years to host this event in our country and knowing how cities and countries vie to host the IOC Session, Durban is certainly fortunate. This gives me an opportunity to personally welcome my colleagues to the city where I was born.”

The three cities bidding for the privilege are Munich (Germany), Annecy (France) and PyeongChang (Korea), drawn by lot in that particular order.

Speaking at the launch, SASCOC president Gideon Sam said South Africa must understand the significance of the Session. “I cannot emphasise just how big an honour for South Africa it is to be afforded the privilege of hosting this, the 123rd IOC Session in Durban.

“This is not the first time it’s coming to Durban, not the first time it’s coming to South Africa but the first time that it is coming to the African continent since the very first Session in Paris, France back in 1894. That’s how big a deal it is.

“The Session will be taking place at a time when we as a country must realise that such major events are few and far between and many countries would give their eye teeth to have such a Session in their own cities. Durban, indeed South Africa is honoured to play host to such a great event and for the sports fraternity it cannot be more opportune as we set our sights on continuing to bring bigger and better events to the continent of Africa.

“Every Session has its own particular highlight. At the last Session in Vancouver, Canada it was the unveiling of Nanjing, China as the host for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics and the highlight of this particular Session in Durban will be the announcement of the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy also emphasised the importance of the event. “It’s an honour not only for South Africa but the entire African continent. It’s a great opportunity to work closely with the IOC, to support them, and to realise the quality of the IOC members visiting our shores in terms of status.”

A large number of the world’s leading royal families will also be in attendance at various stages during the Session.
Reddy went on to acknowledge the role that national government had to play in the Session. “The Honorable Sports Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula, has formed an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the event and the support from the SA government is significant.”

Durban was first nominated to host the 123rd Session in April, 2008, along with a second candidate (Hong Kong), and Durban was then given the honour at the 120th IOC Session in Beijing, China in August that year.

The incoming Mayor of Durban, Councillor Nxumalo, also celebrated the coming of the Session to Durban. “We are delighted to be part of the team hosting the first ever session of the IOC on the African continent. As the city in which the first President of the ANC Dr John Dube lived and worked, where Mahatma Gandhi developed his movement for peace, as the home of the first black Nobel-laureate Chief Luthuli, as the place where Nelson Mandela voted in 1994 and as Africa’s sporting and events capital, we are honoured to host the world’s premier sports organisation.

“President Jacques Rogge and the IOC members, the visiting city delegations from Germany, France and Korea, the media and all associated with the great Olympian movement are welcome and we trust that they all experience our city as the warmest place to be.”

Back to the striking logo for the session… predominately blue in colour, it was designed by Cape Town based company Interactive Africa, with the designer responsible for the logo being Richard Quintal.

Explaining the rationale behind the logo, Quintal said he had done lengthy research before coming up with his final concept.

“I looked at various Olympic sports and one in particular stood out — that of the ribbon used in gymnastics — very fluid and elegant. I imagined what the ribbon would look like as it fell to the floor. I then used a single piece of ribbon and made it into the shape of Africa, scanned it and redrew it — creating a more graphical representation.

“I used the shape of Africa as it is a more identifiable symbol than South Africa alone. Most international people think that South Africa and Africa are one and the same. I then used Gotham for the font. A very simple to read font with a classic feel.”

The 123rd Session gets underway with the opening ceremony at Durban’s Playhouse Company on 5 July and the announcement of the 2018 Winter Olympics host city will be made on Wednesday, 6 July.

However the judge dismissed Malehopo’s case out of hand and he was ordered to pay legal costs and make himself available as the hearing continued.

Malehopo was initially suspended by SASCOC as part of the body’s investigation into ASA affairs. In February this year, three suspended members of ASA — Messrs Leonard Chuene, Kakata Mopanyane and Dr Simon Dlamini received sanctions ranging from seven to three years after the same investigation.

SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy said the court’s decision had cleared the way for the hearing to continue. “As always, we revert to due process and the hearing must take its course. Once again we have faced questions regarding SASCOC’s jurisdiction and the court’s decision makes our powers of jurisdiction very clear.

“Mr Malehopo must now make himself available for the next step of the hearing.”