Hon Speaker, we support the recent call of Minister Mbalula in which he outlined our country's intention to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
We have a successful track record of hosting major sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, the Cricket World Cup, and the 2010 Fifa World Cup. South Africa is blessed with wonderful stadiums around the country, and our infrastructure spend in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 financial years will stand us in good stead for the Olympics.
However, a sizable infrastructure spend will still be needed in areas of transport such as road, rail and air and, of course, various sporting facilities.
Further positive spin-offs would include a sizable impact on the gross domestic product and our economy, as well as a boost in the field of international relations, and would supercharge our already booming tourism industry.
Further, it is imperative that Municipal Infrastructure Grant funds and Urban Settlement Development Grant funds - currently 15% of those are for the allocation of sports facilities - are spent properly to ensure that our infrastructure development will be in place.
However, in order to host a successful Olympic Games, South Africa needs competitive athletes. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the sports federations will have to get professionally geared for the challenge ahead in order to get our athletes ready.
Also, we have 10 years to ensure that our school sports policy is put into effect and has the requisite buy-in from the Department of Education to produce quality athletes, which is not the case at present. I thank you.