PROFESSIONAL football and academia joined forces this week with a formal partnership between UKZN and the Durban City Football Club.

The MoU aims to establish a structured partnership that leverages UKZN’s academic and research expertise and Durban City’s excellent professional football standing and track record.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Durban City chairman Farouk Kadodia said, “Our goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the dynamic world of professional football. For students, this collaboration opens doors to real-world experience in sports science, media, marketing, business management, and coaching — all within the high-energy environment of a professional club. For our players and staff, it means access to cutting-edge research, world-class facilities, and educational programmes that will elevate performance on and off the pitch.”

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“As UKZN, we have taken a strategic decision to enhance our sporting profile over the next three years. We will do this by investing in infrastructure, investing in the development of our athletes and seeking meaningful and impactful partnerships. Thus, the signing of the MoU with Durban City augurs well for that vision of restoring UKZN Sports to its rightful place. We are excited to collaborate with a professionally run football club such as Durban City, and we are confident that this collaboration will yield mutual benefits,” said Normah Zondo, the executive director for corporate relations at UKZN.

As part of the agreement, the two parties will work together to enhance expertise in football high performance, facilitate knowledge sharing, and explore joint community outreach and marketing opportunities.

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