Butana Komphela has urged the South African Rugby Union to pay R2, 5 Million for development initiatives in the Eastern Cape.
According to Afrikaans newspaper, Rapport, Komphela has written a letter to SARU requesting the payout prior to the clash between the British and Irish Lions and an Eastern Cape XV on June 16 – coinciding with Youth Day.
Komphela, who heads up the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on sport, stressed the historical significance of June 16 and also wants the match to be played after 16:00, to accommodate the Youth Day celebrations.
He wants the slogan “16 June – Youth Day 2009” to be prominent on the players' jerseys while an audio visual clip displaying the meaning of Youth Day, should also appear on the stadium’s big screen.
He also requested that a number of tickets be made available for the youth from previously disadvantaged communities.
This comes one week after Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers publicly announced his support for the African National Congress (ANC).
SA Rugby has 'approved' de Villiers' support for the ANC, in a statement released last week. However, a member of the President's council has criticised SA Rugby’s handling of the matter.
Mpumalanga president, Hein Mentz issued a statement expressing his disapproval of SA Rugby’s handling of the matter. The statement was signed by at least nine other Unions as well as SARU vice-president Rautie Rautenbach and two directors Jan Marais and Mike Stofile.
"It is unacceptable and divisive of de Villiers to support a political party openly,” the statement read.
"As coach of the national team, which represents all South Africans, it is irresponsible to take a political stand on such a stage."
The statement, and the undersigned presidents, distanced itself from SA Rugby's position on the matter.
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