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Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a social media campaign to support Olympic hopeful, Lebogang Moeng, in his efforts to attain sufficient funding for the Olympic games and qualifiers.

Lebogang, the South African 400 m champion, is one of 11 athletes who reached Olympic qualifying standards in their events during the Yellow Pages series. The eleven athletes received R200 000 from Athletics South Africa (ASA) for reaching the qualifying standards, amounting to roughly R18 000 per athlete.

It was initially reported that ASA would be responsible for the athletes’ flights, their accommodation and their kit. Food, transport to and from basecamps, and other amenities would have to be funded by the athletes themselves. It is estimated that each athlete will incur at least R15 000 in costs not covered by the current funding programme.

Lebogang has to depart to Europe tomorrow to participate in international qualifying races.

We have already submitted parliamentary questions to the Minister of Sports & Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, to ascertain how funds allocated to Team SA were used.

The Department of Sports and Recreation has allocated R31 million to preparing Team SA for the Olympics, a contribution of R70 million was made by the National Lottery and, according to a reply received from the Minister of Sports and Recreation today, R45 million has been made available by the private sector. Sport and recreation service providers (mainly national federations) also received a total budget of R132.5 million this year, a portion of which must surely be used to support Olympians in the various sporting codes.

If athletes are now unable to fund their trips, how was this money used?

The 22-year-old Lebogang, who grew up in Ganyesa in the North West, said that his only wish is “to be successful and to come home with an Olympic medal.” The Olympic hopes of Lebogang Moeng and other South African athletes should not be compromised by a lack of funding.

We must make sure that our sporting ambassadors have the funding and support they need to succeed.