Sponsors help swell Safa’s coffers

01 October 2007 – The Sowetan
Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Soft-drink giant Coca-Cola and supermarket chain Pick ’n Pay have come on board as sponsors of the South African Football Association.
This was announced by Safa president Molefi Oliphant at their annual general meeting in Kempton Park on Saturday.

The two major companies will each contribute a total of R20 million to the coffers of the soccer federation over five years.

“They are the suppliers to the national teams and Safa,” said Oliphant, whose body has reduced its financial deficit from R98 million to R44 million.
“We are naturally delighted that the two companies will be assisting us in the next five years. It’s good for the development of football in our country.”

Oliphant also confirmed that the AGM resolved to close down SA Football Pty Ltd, the commercial wing of Safa, as per the new tax laws of the country.

SA Football Pty Ltd – which was led by deputy president Mwelo Nonkonyana – will wind up its affairs and furnish Safa with a closing report within 90 days.
The commercial wing’s staff members will be absorbed by Safa.
The proposed new legislation gives South African sports federations until December 2009 to close their commercial wings.

All federations are now by law required to have only one structure. In this case all the activities relating to amateur soccer will be run by Safa.
“For us the announcement (legislation) came at the right time. We felt there was no need to go any further with the activities of the commercial wing,” said Oliphant.
The Lekoa soccer leader-cum-businessman said issues relating to the constitution of Safa will be discussed at a special general meeting on December 1.
“We will discuss things like amending the Safa constitution in line with those of Fifa and CAF statues. There will also be a presentation of the latest (developments) relating to the 2010 World Cup preparations.”

On the formal request by Safa Soweto to be awarded regional status, Oliphant said there was a task team dealing with the matter. But he was quick to point out that the task team was looking into all the metros, Johannesburg included.
“We are not only looking into the issue raised by people from Soweto. The task team will give us a report on December 1.”

Meanwhile, Safa has appointed veteran soccer administrators Leepile Taunyane and Vincent Baartjies as honorary life members.
Safa is also planning to organise more competitions for junior soccer