I fully agree with Uefa president Michel Platini when he said foreign ownership of local soccer clubs is bad news for the sport.

I fully agree with Uefa president Michel Platini when he said foreign ownership of local soccer clubs is bad news for the sport.

I read an article by a columnist in one of our daily newspapers likening the new name of Benoni Premier United, Thanda Royal Zulu, to fanakalo.

One of the arguments that Platini put forward was that foreigners tend not to respect local culture, traditions and habits. He was referring particularly to the English Premiership, which has seen many of its clubs being purchased by foreigners.

Zulu is not my home language but still Thanda Royal Zulu does not make sense. With the 2010 World Cup in mind local clubs are likely to be in demand and history has shown that some of the owners are mercenaries who sell their clubs once they encounter some minor hiccups or someone dangles what looks like a lot of money in front of them.

How I wish that all the clubs in the PSL were either owned by Kaizer Motaung or Jomo Sono - men who have played the game and bleed it. I don't foresee any of the two gentlemen selling their clubs at whatever price because they live for the sport and soccer has made them what they are.

In return they have made our soccer what it is today.

Richardson Mzaidume,

Pimville