The Springboks will be allowed to fly the SA flag high this weekend when they take on France in their all-important first Rugby World Cup play-off fixture.
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This comes after the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) challenged the decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over South Africa’s non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code 2021.
Should Wada’s decision be enforced, the country could be prevented from flying its national flag or playing the national anthem at major sporting events and ceremonies.
The National Anti-Doping Organisation (Nado) of South Africa was allegedly out of compliance with the code, according to Wada, which had decided to support the recommendation made by its independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC).
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The Wada website states that every effort is made to promote compliance and that declaring a signatory non-compliant is a last resort.
‘By definition, an allegation of non-compliance means that the situation has been robustly and thoroughly reviewed and that the recommendation from the CRC to the executive committee is based on facts, evidence and consideration of precedents.’
At a meeting with the media on Tuesday at the Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town, Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa gave an update on the Wada non-compliance declaration.
On Wednesday, Saids submitted a notice of appeal to Wada via the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) contesting the non-compliance declaration.
As a result, the non-compliance has been put on hold, and the decision’s consequences will not take effect until CAS has rendered a decision.
‘I am pleased that the Wada consequences have been put on hold. Our national sports teams can now focus on winning the World Cups and flying the country’s flag proudly,’ Kodwa said.
Anroux Marais, MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, met with Wada representatives on Wednesday. Marais expressed public concern prior to the meeting that the non-compliance might prevent the Springboks and Proteas from participating under the South African flag or from singing the national anthem.
‘The national government knows that such legislation must be passed, and it is imperative that it is passed as a priority,’ Marais said.
‘The Western Cape government will do everything that we can to help our Springboks and Proteas compete under our anthem and flag, and represent South Africa.’
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Picture: Cape{town}Etc/ Murray Swart