Muni halts giving money to soccer clubs

Polokwane Municipality will no longer make cash contributions to Polokwane City Football Club and Baroka Football Club due to budgetary constraints. This announcement was made at the recent meeting of the Polokwa­ne municipal council. The two teams were receiving R4 million each from per annum from the municipality.
Polokwane Municipal Manager Dikgape Makobe in a letter informed the clubs of the decision. The municipality will however continue to support the teams in other aspects including free usage of venues such as the old and the new Peter Mokaba stadiums, payment of standby services such as plumbing, electricity, medical services, cleaning, security, traffic and waste management services, hospitality services and support from the stadium management.
“The above services cost the municipality close to R5 million per annum and although this might not be equal to what we contributed previously in cash, it continues to be a significant contribution that we hope will ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.
“In light of the new developments the municipality proposes that there will be a share of gate takings of 50% for all matches played in the facilities,” Makobe informed the clubs. The letter from Makobe further read that the decision by the municipality was a result of the challenges they are confronted with. “The city continues to be faced with a myriad of challenges with continuously dwindling resources. This situation has led to a serious rethink and reprioritisation of programmes in line with the mission and vision of the municipality while at the same time balancing the developmental imperatives faces by the residents.
“Your ascendance to the Premier Soccer League has ensured that the city continues to be on the national map and has also contributed to the tourism opportunities and economic growth,” it read.
Chief Executive Officer of Baroka Football Club, Morgan Mammilla said: “We don’t have our own stadium so this situation benefits both parties.”
Vusi Ntimane, Spokesperson for Polokwa­ne City Football Club said he could not comment on finances and neither could the Chief Operations Officer, Tincy Tema.

Story: Herbert Rachuene
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