SA flag ban on hold after WADA receives SAIDS appeal notice
The World Anti-Doping Agency has placed on hold the non-compliance declaration, and the associated penalty, against South Africa.
This comes after WADA confirmed receipt of the formal notification from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) of its application to challenge the declaration, and the proposed consequences, in the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS).
“WADA has thus stated that the allegation of non-compliance against South Africa is put on hold and the consequences will not apply until the CAS makes its ruling,” said the Arts, Sport and Culture ministerial spokesperson Litha Mpondwana.
Last month, the WADA’s Compliance Review Committee recommended that current South African legislation is non-compliant with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code.
This was later endorsed by the agency’s executive committee.
Minister Zizi Kodwa held a press briefing on Tuesday, where said he had written to Parliament to have the SAIDS Amendment Bill adopted expeditiously.
He also allayed fears that the national teams currently competing on the world stage, the Springboks at Rugby World Cup and the Proteas at ICC Cricket World Cup, would not be allowed to hoist the national flag.
Kodwa dismissed reports that the sanctions, as recommended by WADA, included the barring of the national anthem.
“In the recommendations, there’s nothing about our national anthem. The recommendations, in terms of consequences, are about the flag, hosting, and so on. They are talking about not singing and jerseys…those things are not there.”
READ: Boks, Proteas can fly SA flag - Kodwa announces bid to appeal WADA ban
In his latest comment on the matter, Kodwa said he is pleased that WADA had decided to pause the implementation of the recommended non-compliance consequences against South Africa.
Our national sports teams can now focus on winning the World Cups and flying the country’s flag proudly,” the minister said.
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