Cape Town – Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has saluted the decorated Banyana forward Portia Modise following her retirement from football, saying the free-scoring soccer star deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Minister on Wednesday said Modise’s contribution to women’s football was valuable, and that while she was hanging up her boots as a player, it was not goodbye as she will continue to be part of sport as an ambassador and mentor.
Modise, the first soccer player in both men’s and women’s sports to have scored more than 100 goals for the national team, announced that she would hand up her boots on Tuesday following a very decorated career with Banyana Banyana.
“The question of honouring people who have made a contribution in sport is a matter that we are attending to, through the Hall of Fame. People like Portia, I think in even in women’s sports, those that came before her have not achieved what she has achieved in the field of play.
“She definitely belongs to that Hall of Fame in terms of honour and respect. She needs to be inducted into that Hall of Fame for all her achievements.
“She is one of the brightest stars of women’s sport,” said the Minister.
He added that she is retiring at a time when there are plans to make women’s league football a full-time sport in South Africa.
Minister Mbalula said that the South African Football Association (SAFA) had committed to making Modise an ambassador of women’s sport as she is a role model to young girls and an icon to women’s sport.
He said it was important that efforts be made to train her as a coach so she can pass on her talent through coaching.
Transformation remains priority
Addressing media on the department’s Budget Vote, Minister Mbalula said he will not be apologetic about transformation in sport as it remains a priority for his department.
The national schools sport programme would be intensified to ensure that transformation happens at grass-roots level.
“We are going to transform – whether it’s now or in the future. Those who are blocking transformation must know we have got an appointment with them.”
He added that the country has a troubled past of racial oppression, which expressed itself through the exclusion of many not only from the economy, but also in sport.
“It is a widely accepted fact that sport is a powerful tool to healing past wounds and creating a cohesive society,” he said.
The department will also aim to assist Boxing South Africa to punch its way out of its recent troubles.
He also said he remained optimistic that our national teams will perform well internationally.
Talking about his department’s performance, he said it was among the departments in government that have achieved a clean audit, which showed his staff remained dedicated and motivated to serve as best as they can. – SAnews.gov.za
