POLOKWANE - Rugby administrators in Limpopo Province have been left in no doubt about the attitude of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on the subject of transformation within their structures.

Acting MEC Sello Moloto has warned clubs which do not support transformation and refuse to adhere to the quota system, that they will be given until February next year (the start of the rugby season) to get their house in order. After that, any further resistance will result in suspension from all league games within the province, and being barred from utilising government facilities.

A meeting between officials of the department and the rugby administrators, held on 5 September, was marked by a frank exchange of views, with the rugby fraternity also raising several matters of serious concern to them.

The talks formed part of the department's programme of interaction with various sporting codes, in an attempt "to measure the progress being made with transformation and development processes".

"It is clear that not all clubs support transformation in the province, and some are still running without the inclusion of players and managers of colour. We regard this in a very serious light ", Moloto said after the meeting.

The administrators, in turn, pointed out that lack of adequate funding made it impossible to have development officers in all their sub-regions. In addition, facilities in rural areas hampered rapid development, and complicated the access of certain communities to the code of rugby. Furthermore, the lack of a provincial rugby union in Limpopo Province had resulted in a huge exodus of players searching for greener pastures.

Moloto said the government was committed to supporting all efforts by sporting structures to ensure transformation in sport, which would afford all people in the country opportunities to participate in the codes of their choice, without prejudice.

"Regarding the provincial rugby union, we are going to canvas support from other government structures at national level, and from the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU), to ensure that Limpopo is awarded provincial status", the MEC promised.

However, this move would depend on all rugby structures transforming in all respects, he insisted.