In the most concrete commitment given to establishing video assistant referee VAR in South Africa yet, the department of sport has detailed how it will pay for the long-awaited instalment that was promised by minister Gayton McKenzie.
On a question posed by the parliamentary portfolio committee and its member, Rise Mzansi chief organiser and MP Makashule Gana, the sports department explained in a written response it has set aside R90m in its budget for the establishment of VAR.
Five written questions were posed:
- whether the total cost of VAR to the professional football has been established
- which companies or suppliers have expressed an interest in providing the technology
- whether the technology extends to goal line technology
- how the South African Football Association Safa responded to the pronouncement of the VAR system and
- who will be responsible for the maintenance.
In its response, the department of sport said: The process to procure the system and all related details has not yet commenced between the department and Safa.
However, a proposal evaluation committee is being put together and they will evaluate the proposals that were submitted to Safa, most likely in early June.