Availability of resources, improvement of aging infrastructure and making sports and extramural activities accessible in schools have been cited as some of the ways to achieve transformation in sports in the country. These were some of the conversations during the Social Cohesion Dialogue on Transformation in Sport in Gqeberha. The Eastern Cape Department of Sports has allocated nearly R90 million for sports development across the province. Listening, learning and actively engaging with those who have first-hand knowledge of the systemic challenges that exist. One of the biggest problems identified as a stumbling block to sports transformation is school sport. Participants say a dysfunctional school sport system results in young talent is not being nurtured properly. Deputy President Paul Mashatile says, “We have seen in our country how sport can be a unifier across all races. Sport is the one thing that cuts across all races. We need to make sure that we invest in sport so that more and more young people can play at a national level.” MEC for Sports, Recreation, Art and Culture in the Eastern Cape, Sibulele Ngongo, says, “The Eastern Cape is made up of many rural areas and we need to make sure that development also happens at that level. It can’t be that after so many years we still have kids with no sports grounds, so they can’t play at school. How then can they even dream about playing at a national level? We have allocated funds now to improve the facilities at schools, get the pupils rescources, kits and all they need for them to grow within the different sporting codes.” Panelists believe beyond the playing field, sport hold immense potential to combat the social ills that plague many communities. A call was made for a transformative strategy that can uplift not only individuals but entire communities. Former Springbok Manager Zola Yeye says, “We need to have more money invested in sport. We have seen how sport has the ability to be a proper income when someone really sets their minds to it. We need to develop our townships, build sports fields and recreational facilities where our young people can play, because if they don’t play, that talent will be lost to drugs.” There have also been pleas for transformation efforts to encompass all sporting codes. Many say while soccer and netball have seen some successes in reaching underprivileged areas, sports such as rugby, cricket and tennis also need to be equally accessible. This requires not only investment in facilities, but also in coaching, mentorship and the creation of open and competitive opportunities. Banyana Banyana Coach Desiree Ellis says, “What we are seeing is that many of the talent that is found in provinces, leaves and goes to places where they find better opportunities and (it’s) sad to see that happen in the Eastern Cape. It’s important to create such opportunities in the provinces, so that no talent is lost. Then once you have done that, you need to create a platform where these talented people can begin to mentor and coach the younger upcoming stars and that’s how we can grow sports at a grassroots level.” Swimmer Natalie du Toit says, “I have seen the tremendous growth within various sporting codes for people with disabilities. I mean we now get to take part in many international sports events that we never got take part in before. But with that said, we still need to do more for people with disabilities. For instance, we still need better transport, more resources to help those with disabilities.” The sports MEC says there will be strict monitoring and evaluation of the money being ploughed into sports to ensure that it’s utilised efficiently to develop underprivileged areas and promote inclusivity.