Opponents of transformation in sport ‘lack God in their hearts’ - Mbalula

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has branded those against government's efforts to transform sport in the country as people lacking God in their hearts.

"They can insult us but we will not retreat on transformation‚" he said.

"People who don't want change lack God in their hearts. All peace-loving people of this country who want to see development understand the need for transformation."

The minister was speaking at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Mthatha during the launch of the Rural Sports Development Programme aimed at tapping into and nurturing talent even in the far-flung rural hinterlands of the country.

He said he was convinced there was enough talent in the so-called rural areas.

"We want to get athletes from rural areas to play for national teams. We want them to attend performance-enhancing centres so that we can nurture and develop that talent further‚" he said.

Mbalula's department has reportedly received a R300-million grant for the programme from the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department.

He said the programme would see children in rural areas participating in a massive sporting tournament in several sporting codes like netball‚ athletics‚ rugby and soccer which would culminate in the National Rural Sport Development Championships to be held at WSU in Mthatha in March next year.