Amateur clubs to do things by the book
With more than 23 teams stemming from surrounding wards showing interest to affiliate, Radebe touched on the benefits of being part of this structure.
With amateur league on the verge of returning to the pitch, clubs competing in the greater Honeydew area are expected to be more formal and organised than ever before.
This after most clubs chose to affiliate with the newly formed Zandspruit Local Football Association (ZLFA) registered under the South African Football Association (SAFA).
On Saturday, 27 March, history was made as club chairpersons, captains and the newly formed ZFLA committee comprising Augustin Mokotjo (CEO); Nomsa Gasa and Nkosinathi Radebe (deputy chairpersons); Proud Shoko (chairperson); Donald Rampya (secretary); and Everest Mpasi (technical director) met in Emthonjeni Community Centre in Zandspruit to discuss and adopt the SAFA competition uniform rules.
Shoko enlightened the Northsider about the structure. “This was our first workshop as the ZFLA which is registered with the Department of Social Development as a non-profit organisation, and we are also looking forward to registering with other football structures. The main purpose of the workshop was to explain the rules in detail and train the members as we adopt the rules which will stand for many years to come,” he explained, referring to the occasion as a day of transformation and history in the making.
With more than 23 teams stemming from surrounding wards showing interest to affiliate, Radebe touched on the benefits of being part of this structure. “Zandspruit has always been a place that attracts negative attention, but using this structure we want to change that through organised football. The structure will be very helpful in enhancing discipline among players and technical managers of the club,” he explained.
Speaking of technicalities, Mpasi, who highlighted some of the critical laws that govern the beautiful game, said it was important to share such knowledge with young players so that they could grow up understanding what’s required of them on and off the pitch. “The more we give the FIFA and SAFA approved rules, the more they become professionals,” he said.
As funding of such a league is solely reliant on the teams, Shoko has pleaded with businesses and individuals to sponsor a competition or league. “We are looking forward to companies or individuals sponsoring a division within the league, as long as they can meet the prize money for that division. Naming the league after a company is very beneficial to them as it gives marketing exposure, among other perks,” he explained.
For more information about the ZLFA, contact its chairperson, Proud Shoko on 073 248 7052.
