By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA sports minister Zizi Kodwa confirmed they filed a court appeal against a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decision that risks seeing the country’s rugby and cricket teams barred from flying their national flag and using their anthems at their World Cups.
Kodwa said the appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, will “stave off” the effects of the WADA decision, sparing the World Cup holders a major embarrassment.
“This means that the flying of the South African flag at events such as the Cricket and Rugby World Cups will not be affected until CAS rules on this challenge,” Kodwa said.
Kodwa addressed media in Cape Town on Tuesday, where he stated that the bill was approved and will now be “tabled to Parliament”.
South Africa has until Friday to update its anti-doping legislation in compliance with new WADA rules but is almost certain to miss the deadline.
That would trigger a ban on the Springboks flying their flag and playing the national anthem at Sunday’s clash against the host nation in Paris.
The Proteas competing at the Cricket World Cup, which began in India last week, would also be affected.
“I believe the grounds for appeal are strong and that the sanctions are not appropriate,” Kodwa said.
“The sanction as it pertains to the flying of the national flag has created unnecessary hysteria and punished athletes and players unfairly”.
At the same time, the Democratic Alliance says it has written to Wada requesting a four-month extension to January 2024.
Amid widespread criticism, Kodwa has lambasted what he calls slander against the government and the ANC.
“The political barbs have ignored the rigid and uncompromising stance of WADA on this matter. South Africa is a constitutional democracy, and enacting laws cannot just be done through the ‘stroke of a pen’.”
Kodwa said realistic timelines for the passing of the bill while complying with necessary processes, such as public participation, would be between now and May next year.