Petition exposes struggles of lower-tier footballers as department responds
A petition, started by a Fourways footballer, has put the harsh realities of lower-tier football under the spotlight, prompting a response from the department of sport, arts, and culture.
The department of sport, arts, and culture has acknowledged the growing petition calling for greater protection and professionalisation of lower-tier South African footballers, saying it has taken note of the concerns raised by players and communities.
The petition was started by Fourways resident and footballer Thato Molomo, founder of Molomo Marketing, who is calling on football authorities and government to address what the petition describes as the neglect and exploitation of players in lower-tier leagues.
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It highlights the lack of formal contracts, income security, and medical protection for players in competitions such as the ABC Motsepe League and the Hollywoodbets Regional League, warning that these conditions leave athletes financially vulnerable and force many to abandon their careers prematurely.
Spokesperson for the office of the minister of sport, arts, and culture Stacey-Lee Khojane said that while the department takes note of the details of the petition, contractual and income related matters falls outside the purview of government, both in terms of the statutes of sport bodies as well as the South African Sport Law.
She added that the department is nevertheless pursuing interventions to support athletes. “Notwithstanding this, and in recognition of the challenges faced by athletes, the department is in the process of securing group risk benefits and flexible insurance solutions tailored to the needs of South African athletes.
“These interventions aim to ensure access to appropriate and adequate life cover, funeral cover, and a hospitalisation assistance plan.”
On efforts to professionalise lower-division football, Khojane said: “The department is working in collaboration with the provincial departments responsible for sport, arts, and culture, as well as the federations, to implement the club development programme, which, among other objectives, seeks to address the matters raised.”
Khojane said the same programme also targets concerns around community clubs and youth development. “The aforementioned development programme also addresses concerns relating to the sustainability of community-based clubs, and the development of youth within these leagues.”
The petition has called on stakeholders, including SAFA, the Premier Soccer League, the National Soccer League, and government, to urgently intervene, warning that continued neglect of lower-tier football threatens the future of players, community clubs, and South Africa’s long-term competitiveness in the sport.
When asked for comment, Fhatuwani Mpfuni, from Premier Soccer League, said that the ABC Motsepe and the Hollywoodbets Regional Leagues are administered by the South African Football Association (SAFA), recommending we direct our enquiries to them.
No response has been received from SAFA, or other stakeholders, for requests for comment as yet. An update will be provided once received.
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