The league
will now be known as the ABC Motsepe League, and will carry a first prize of
R1-m to the winning team of which R200 000 will be used by the winning team for
development purposes. There will be a runner up prize of R500 000 of which R100
000 is to used by the runner up for development purposes.
This staggering prize
money is a clear statement by the Motsepe Foundation, its patrons Mr Patrice
Motsepe and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and the Trustees on the importance and
significance of the development of sport whilst empowering the youth and
creating opportunity for a better life.
In making
the announcement, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, said yesterday was a historic
day for South African football.
“This is a
great boost for South African football and we want to thank the Motsepe
Foundation for their consistency in supporting grassroots development which is
the most important sector of football.
“The Second
Division is the last leg before teams progress into the professional ranks and
it is therefore SAFA’s responsibility to make sure teams are financially viable
as well as to have proper developmental structures.
“We have
created a unique and probably a world first by allocating part of the prize
money to youth development,” said the SAFA President.
The Motsepe
Foundation has responded to a request by SAFA to partner the organisation to
develop soccer at the lower levels in order to grow South African football. The
SAFA request was in line with the Motsepe Foundation vision of empowering,
growing and enabling South Africans from all walks of life.
The
Foundation is committed to a number of causes within our country from Women and
Economic Empowerment to the Youth and Sport. This opportunity lends itself well
to being a second tier to what the Foundation is doing at high school level
through the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Cup.
The
partnership would not only focus on player development, with the stern age
criteria which the Mostepe Foundation is putting as a condition to the
sponsorship which will see six under 21 players included and playing on the
field per team at each game played in the ABC Motsepe League, but it would also
explore ways to develop administration at all levels in order to establish
sound management of the league and improve football adminstration in the
country.
With 144 teams playing in the ABC Motsepe league, this will mean that
in excess of 1500 players under the age of 21 will be given opportunity to play
in an organized, competitive league, getting exposed to stronger training and
coaching. This single action will undoubtedly bode well for the National team
in five to 10 years time, as this influx of young talent graduates to higher
ranks of our football.
The league
will be named after the late Mr ABC Motsepe, father of Mr Patrice Motsepe. This
is in recognition of the legacy of Mr Motsepe Senior, who was an educator, a
principal who was committed to the growth and development of the youth, an
entrepreneur, visionary and philanthropist in his own right.
As a school
principal, he was renowned for ensuring that even students who were turned down
by other institutions were admitted and educated, and stressed the need for
students to be innovative and passionate about whatever they do. Above all, he
was a keen soccer follower.
Several
end-of-season awards will also be made, and these will be named after soccer
administrators who have made life-long contribution to the development of
soccer. This is also in a bid to ensure that the league and all who are
involved in it strive for exellence and uplifting the league and ensuring a
consitent supply of talent for our National teams whilst developing the youth.
