SASCOC sets sights on future with launch of Olympic and Paralympic foundation

By Charles Baloyi
13th April 2026

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) is laying the groundwork for an ambitious new era, with President Barry Hendricks confirming plans to launch a dedicated Olympic and Paralympic foundation — the key to strengthening South Africa’s long-term global sporting ambitions.

While 2026 may not be an Olympic year, Hendricks insists it is anything but quiet. Instead, it marks a period of intense planning and strategic movement, with several major milestones on the horizon.

Among them is the formation of a new board to steer the foundation, alongside South Africa’s participation in upcoming international events, including the Winter Youth Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, set for Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July to 2 August.

There is also growing anticipation around a potential visit by Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee, who has yet to make an official trip to South Africa since taking office.

Looking further ahead, Hendricks revealed that SASCOC is already positioning the country for future hosting opportunities.

The Youth Olympic Games in Malta next year presents a valuable benchmark, as South Africa eyes the possibility of hosting similar events as a stepping stone towards a bold Olympic bid.

The country is expected to formally submit its intention to host either the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games to Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, in June — a move that underscores its renewed confidence on the global stage.

At the centre of these ambitions is the soon-to-be-launched foundation, which Hendricks describes as critical to the bid process and the broader Olympic movement in South Africa.

“We are going to launch the South African Olympic and Paralympic Foundation, working with the former CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation as a service provider to develop the original concept document and programme of action,” Hendricks told SABC Sport. “We will also appoint a board to guide its work.”

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The initiative signals a shift towards building sustainable structures that can support athletes, drive development, and strengthen South Africa’s case as a future Olympic host.

Despite the country’s withdrawal from hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban, Hendricks made it clear that SASCOC’s current focus lies elsewhere — though future opportunities have not been ruled out entirely.

Instead, attention is firmly on hosting the Commonwealth Youth Games, which could serve as a critical test of South Africa’s readiness to stage major international events.

“If we can host that, we will be able to measure our strength,” Hendricks explained.

Back home, SASCOC is also working closely with government on the revival of the South African Games, a national multi-sport event aimed at boosting development and unearthing new talent.

Far from being a lull in the sporting calendar, Hendricks believes this is a defining period.

“It’s not a quiet year as people think,” he said. “It’s an exciting year, full of action and important steps for the future of sport in this country.”