SOUTH Africa Football Association, SAFA, has found a much needed sponsorship to secure the development of soccer in South Africa.
Grand Parade Investments and its subsidiary, Burger King, have made a commitment to be part of the solution to football in South Africa.
Following the national team’s sustained performance challenges, Grand Parade Investments has decided to invest in (SAFA) in support of three national tournaments to identify, develop and nurture football talent in South Africa.
“Our sponsorship is not only in soccer but also in humans in South Africa. If you sponsor soccer you sponsor a community,” said Executive Chairman of Grand Parade Investments Hassen Adams. “There is no amount attached to the sponsorship as it is all about the greater image.”
Adams is the driving force behind the company’s passion: to be a profitable and successful enterprise in the gaming and leisure industry, while at the same time uplifting and rewarding its shareholders.
GPI’s shareholders include thousands of ordinary people from the marginalised communities in South Africa’s historically disadvantaged areas.
“We believe that our role at GPI extends beyond business into our communities, where we have identified the youth as a critical area for development. We regard football as a key enabler, which is why we have decided to start building a partnership with SAFA.”
“One of the solutions for South African football is to develop structures from the ground up, allowing young talent to be identified and developed. We believe that the three tournaments for u.17, u.19 and u.19 women will be a major contributor to creating a sustainable platform for national selection.”
Nine provincial teams will compete in each category at the tournaments, the first of which takes place at the end of March 2014. Ultimately, the provincial selectors will identify a team in each category to participate at international level. From these players, SAFA will be able to select future Bafana Bafana players.
The draw for the u.17 tournament took place on Thursday 20 at SAFA House.
“We believe that success on the football field can be the catalyst for uniting the whole of Africa, and we look forward to this being the start of a campaign to bring World Cup success to Africa and more particularly South Africa” said Adams.
More information about the tournaments is available on www.safa.net.
