Gary Player - The Legend

Announcement by Coca-Cola, The Black Knight, and SuperSport

Coca-Cola South Africa, the presenting sponsor of the annual children’s charity golf tournament formerly known as the Nelson Mandela Invitational, and broadcaster SuperSport have today confirmed their withdrawal from the tournament.

The two organizations arrived at the decision following the recent stand-off between the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) and tournament owners and organizers, Black Knight International and Octagon, which led to the NMCF’s withdrawal from the event.

Announcing the decision, Coca-Cola South Africa Public Affairs and Communications Director Kaizer Nyatsumba said the annual tournament had become too much of a political ‘hot potato’ following the recent controversy that had dogged it.

“At Coca-Cola South Africa we have always prided ourselves on raising funds for children’s charities through our sponsorship of this tournament, and we regret the fact that the event has become embroiled in unnecessary controversy over the past few weeks. However, we plan to continue to contribute directly to children’s charities,” Nyatsumba said.

SuperSport spokesperson Brandon Foot said the broadcaster would also not broadcast the event following the withdrawal of the NMCF and Coca- Cola South Africa.

“While it is not for us to comment on the merits of the controversy, we believe it is inappropriate for us to continue with the broadcast of the event under these circumstances,” Foot said.

Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International said: “Of course we are disappointed that Coke and SuperSport are withdrawing, however we still intend to stage a charity event to raise money for children. The fact is the controversy was never about Gary Player, Nelson Mandela or Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Unfortunately the business differences between the NMCF, Octagon and ourselves were simply not resolvable.”

Gary Player, speaking from Shanghai where he is hosting the Gary Player Classic presented by Coca-Cola, a charity event aimed at raising funds for HIV-affected children in China, said: “It is a shame Nelson Mandela, a man I love and respect, is not younger and more active because I know in my heart he would never have let this happen. I do not want to fight and wish all parties well in their future endeavours. Hopefully they feel the same way and will let us get on with running our tournament and continuing to help South Africa�s needy children.”

The Coca-Cola Charity Championship hosted by Gary Player on the Winter section of South Africa�s Sunshine Tour, which has traditionally preceded the NMI, will still take place at Arabella and will be broadcast by SuperSport.

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