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Royal Bafokeng Nation seriously considering selling their topflight side Platinum Stars

Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Pic. Veli Nhlapo. 06/05/2010. © Sowetan
Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Pic. Veli Nhlapo. 06/05/2010. © Sowetan

Platinum Stars fans' worst fears could be realised in the coming days after it emerged on Tuesday that members of the wealthy Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) in Phokeng‚ North West‚ are seriously considering selling the club.

Insiders said that high level discussions have taken place at the Royal Bafokeng Supreme Council and if creative and cost effective ways of running the club are not found in the coming days‚ they may be forced to sell.

“It is an undeniable fact that there have been discussions at a higher level of the Supreme Council but nothing concrete has been decided on the way forward‚" the insider said.

"This is a sensitive issue for the leaders in the area because there are many serious things related to social welfare of the people like water‚ sanitation‚ health‚ infrastructure and education which are top priority for them.

"In all honesty‚ RBN would not have a problem continuing to run a professional football team but they are under pressure because their mandate is to look after the interests of the people in the communities.”

The insider added that the escalating costs of running the club are taking their toll on the RBN's coffers.

The RBN have an ambitious Vision 2020 plan to uplift people in the area and motivate them into becoming economically self-sufficient participants in the regional and national economy.

“It is not a secret among high-placed people in the authority that they are looking at creative ways in which they can continue to own and support the club without spending too much money like they are doing now.”

If they are ultimately forced to sell‚ they will plead with the buyer to keep the club in the province because they still believe it has a role to play in the upliftment of the people in the North West.

Contacted for comment on Tuesday‚ Stars chief executive Cliff Ramoroa said he was out of the country and did not reply to a follow up text messages on the issue.

In the meantime‚ operations at the club will not be immediately affected as their budget for next season has been approved.

They are busy with their Caf Confederations Cup programme and planning for next season under new coach Peter Butler.

Dikwena take on Mouloudia D'Alger on Friday at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers in the Confederations Cup.

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