The South African Police Service‘s Gauteng Football Association has received R500 000 worth of sponsorship from Old Mutual.
The presentation of the cheque took place at Mutual Place in Sandton with members of the police and Old Mutual present to celebrate the partnership.
The sponsorship will last for the next three years, during which time Old Mutual will sponsor the trophies for the league and any other equipment necessary.
The provincial secretary of the association, Lieutenant Colonel Elias Thithi explained that the donation is not in the form of cash but will rather provide for the needs of the association.
“Over the three year period we will be identifying programmes we would like to run and inform Old Mutual, or it might be we need soccer jerseys or equipment and they will take care of those needs.”
The league takes place from August to the following May and run in various stages. Each of the seven clusters in Gauteng will take part in their own league. The winning teams from each league will them compete against one another in order to be named the Champ of Champs in the province.
Of the 142 stations in Gauteng, 95 of them will be competing in the league, along with other government departments. There are nearly 3 000 people registered for the league and police members are optimistic that this number will grow.
Tlou Keetse, the Gauteng provincial manager for Old Mutual said, “Sports and recreation positively contribute to many of the factors that build social cohesion. It is a milestone in terms of helping create social cohesion as well as physical and mental health, high educational attainment and reducing anti-social behaviour and ensuring a fit and healthy workforce.”
Keetse added that in the future, they are committed to assisting the police service and will continue to build their relationship.
Share your thoughts on the donation to the South African Police Service’s Gauteng Football Association on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.
Related articles: