The Western Cape Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport has raised concern regarding the recent developments affecting the 2026 National High and LSEN Schools Athletics Championships.
The events of the past week point to challenges in coordination within the national athletics school sport environment, which have placed provinces, schools, and most importantly, young athletes and their families in a position of uncertainty.
The championships, initially scheduled for the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, were postponed due to venue unavailability, despite provinces having already committed significant financial and logistical resources. Accommodation had been secured and travel arrangements finalised based on confirmed information, and teams were fully prepared.
Subsequent efforts to identify an alternative venue, including Pilditch Stadium, reflected a willingness across provinces to proceed. However, the absence of a clear and consolidated national position has contributed to ongoing uncertainty.
As a result, athletes who have trained for months in preparation for this opportunity have been left without clarity on the way forward.
The Western Cape Government, acting responsibly and in line with national guidance, has taken a precautionary approach to limit further financial exposure while awaiting confirmation on next steps.
It is important to recognise that national school sport operates within a multi-stakeholder environment, requiring strong alignment between national departments, federations, and provinces. The current situation highlights the need to strengthen planning, coordination, and communication mechanisms within the athletics code.
This is particularly important given the significance of these championships. For many learners, participation represents not only competition, but access to broader opportunities including bursaries, selection pathways, and personal development.
The Provincial Minister has therefore called for urgent clarity from the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, including a comprehensive account of the decisions taken, timelines followed, and stakeholder engagement processes. This should be supported by a clear update from South African Schools Athletics on readiness and forward planning.
Beyond the immediate situation, the Provincial Minister is advocating for a set of practical system improvements to strengthen the delivery of athletics championships going forward. These include:
- The introduction of a formal host venue readiness framework, ensuring confirmed venue availability, accommodation capacity, and pre-event verification
- The establishment of a stable and protected athletics competition calendar, aligned across key stakeholders
- Greater clarity in roles and responsibilities across the athletics ecosystem to support effective delivery
- A centralised communication protocol to ensure timely, consistent, and reliable information to all provinces
- A structured post-event review process to support continuous improvement and learning
Equally important is a coordinated response to address the financial implications already incurred by provinces, alongside the urgent communication of a clear and credible plan for the hosting of the championships.
The Western Cape remains committed to working constructively with the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of Basic Education to stabilise the current situation and ensure that the championships proceed in a manner that protects the interests of athletes.
At the centre of this response must be a shared commitment to building a school sport system that is reliable, well-coordinated, and worthy of the dedication shown by our young athletes.
Enquiries:
Acting Spokesperson to Minister Ricardo Mackenzie
Eslynn Apollis
E-mail: Eslynn.Apollis@westerncape.gov.za
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