NEW Safa chief executive officer Robin Petersen will channel his energies into setting up proper development structures to get amateur soccer back on track.

One of his immediate challenges is to revive the Transnet Football School of Excellence.

"Prior to my appointment as Safa CEO, I was working with the Safa regions in North West and Limpopo on matters relating to improving administration," said Petersen. "My company was handling that project to help Safa regions run their affairs in a more professional way, we need to spread the project to all the regions.

"We won't be able to produce good players if development is neglected, we must also work closely with the schools in all the provinces.

"Still on the issue of schools, we must revive the Transnet Football of Excellence, which used to be one of the best soccer academies in the world." Excellence has produced great players like Brett Evans, Bernard Parker, Masilo Modubi, Steven Pienaar, Daine Klate and Gerald Sibeko.

Petersen is expected to start his new job today where he will be welcomed by Pinky Lehoko, whose position as acting CEO ended on Friday.

"We are all excited by the appointment of Dr Petersen. I will support him to succeed in taking Safa to greater heights," said Lehoko. "I want to thank everybody who supported me when I was in charge of Safa."