Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

DOHA - The South African Football Association in Limpopo intend meeting their provincial government to ask for financial assistance that will enable them to fund a mass-participation programme.

Nakedi Lekota, Safa national executive committee member for Limpopo, yesterday told Sowetan that they were hoping to meet Joyce Mashamba, the MEC for sports and arts and her management early next month.

Lekota, who is here with the South African under-23s for the Doha International Friendly Youth Soccer Tournament, said they needed R2,5 million to help their 25 local football associations to establish leagues.

"We had a meeting with Joe Maswanganyi [the previous MEC for sports and arts in Limpopo] and discussed the fast-tracking of soccer development in the province.

"We had agreed with the previous MEC in principle, but there was a cabinet reshuffle before the government could start implementing the things we had agreed on, but what makes me happy is that the management team is still there. Our plan is to establish proper junior leagues, from under-10, 12, 14 and 17.

"This will also help Limpopo to produce well-developed players because we have already started engaging some former professionals, who are already working as coaches at development level, to help us.

"I have asked for a meeting with [Fuduwa] Peter Mathekga and [Tiger] John Makola, who are representing the legends' groups in Limpopo. We need to have one provincial structure looking after the interests of the legends and ex-professionals."

lRamatsiyi Moholoa is in Qatar as a guest of Safa and Sasol