BY Obakeng Maje

The Soccer Legends Association as well as the two South African Football Masters Associations united to form one body which will now be called The South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA).

 

The Soccer Legends were led by Brian Tlale and assisted by Nkosi “Let Them Dance” Molala, while the two South African Football Masters Associations were led by Buddah Mathate and Vusi “Computer” Lamola respectively.

 

The unification is the culmination of a mediation process initiated by the South African Football Association (SAFA). It is seen as an important milestone and a historic moment in that a unified Masters and Legends’ Associations will collectively support SAFA’s renewed development programs that are contained in the Technical Master Plan.

 

SAMLFA already has an interim committee of nine members from the three bodies, and will be chaired by Molala.

 

The committee has engaged in stakeholder consultations as part of finalising the development strategy.

 

“We had a successful meeting with the Department of Sports and Recreation South Africa as part of our stakeholder consultation and we pledged our full support to Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula’s Volunteer Corps Programme that is aimed at sports development in schools,” said Molala.

 

“We have also committed ourselves to work closely with the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) to ensure alignment of coaching methodology and philosophy.”

 

SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani has welcomed the iniative.

 

“The move is long overdue because we are all aware that the football greats have an important role to play in the development of football in this country,” said Nematandani.

 

“SAFA is in the process of refining the development construct , and the success of our Technical Masterplan is dependent on a broader stakeholder participation, hence our vigilance in facilitating this unity process.”

 

Some of the goals of the new organisation include:

 

• To fully support football development programs at schools and community clubs using the expertise and knowledge of the game

 

• To bridge the gap between amateur coaches and professional coaches by working closely with SAFCA

 

• To encourage and promote participation of organised football at LFA and Regional levels

 

• To revive and preserve the history of South African football

 

• To capacitate our members through various training and development programs.

 

• To participate fully in the National Discourse on Football Matters across various platforms

 

• To work closely with all progressive football structures in the interest of resuscitating our playing identity

 

A motion for change of name has since been sent to SAFA for adoption at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Saturday, 29 September 2012

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