Johannesburg – South Africa should focus on winning gold medals in the build up to the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Sascoc president Gideon Sam said on Sunday.
“At the Sascoc board's 'lekgolta' we took note of the fact that we got six medals at the Olympic Games last year,” said Sam at the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee annual general meeting in Johannesburg where 69 of the national federations were gathered.
“Now, some say that was good, others say that was not good enough but what we have learnt is that this country wants medals. If we don't give them medals they jeer at you and say you haven't performed.
“So we have decided after that two-day meeting, that gold is at the top of our plan. In the final analysis we must deliver on our mandate. We at Sascoc take the teams, present them at multi-code events around the world and our goal is gold.”
Sam, however, warned the playing field was constantly changing and they were not looking to take passengers along for the ride.
“We can't simply take people along for experience.
“The national federations must find ways to build capacity in their own ranks and deliver them to us to take it further. I emphasise, we are chasing gold.”
The issue of funding South African sport would continue to be a concern.
“When it comes to funding, it's the order of the day to worry.
“So far, sport and recreation SA's funding is a little reduced this year, but we'll come back to address that.
“Of course, we don't want funding in 2016, we want it now, but the Lotto has been good to us and Olympic Solidarity has also been good to us. However, sport cannot rely on only that source of funding.” – Sapa