SAFA get the ball rolling
SAFA, LFA's will be receiving the Chevrolet soccer balls for their development project.
SOUTH African Football Association (SAFA) Development Agency announced that they will be distributing soccer balls in order to help with the development proses.
Addressing corporate South Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday April 17, CEO Dr Robin Petersen, highlighted that if large corporations do not invest in the development of football in the country, it will prove detrimental to the nation and the government’s vision to ‘unify through sport’.
He further noted that the SAFA Development Agency has been set up as a separate trust, with business trustees and patrons, in order to remain nimble, transparent and focused on the organisation’s mission.
With approximately three million active football players, over 20 000 clubs, 40 000 teams, 341 Local Football Associations (LFAs) across 52 regions and nine provinces – SAFA is well placed to transform South African football. The football organisations’ intentions were made clear following the development of the semi-autonomous arm, the SAFA Development Agency, in January 2013.
“To help with the development process, stakeholders have supported us in our goal,” said Petersen. “They have already started to distribute the Chevrolet balls in the development areas, which takes a large portion from us and helps our SAFA goal.”
Petersen pointed out that the approach adopted by the SAFA Development Agency is simple, it tackles multiple layers of development and it requires involvement from various stakeholders, including communities and businesses. He acknowledged that the organisation’s plans have previously been outlined and that key partnerships have already proven valuable, but he reiterated that more must be done.
“It is our vision to create a platform where knowledge and insight can be shared,” Petersen commented during the full day event. “We are not only looking for funding, we are looking for partners. Today is significant for the organisation, because we have chosen to showcase working partnerships in the space of football development. Case in point, the global alignment of Chevrolet and One World Futbol Project, a Non-Profit Organisation that works in needy communities the world over to introduce the beauty of football to children in the most needy areas.”
The donation of 50 000 nearly indestructible footballs is an indication of Chevrolet’s commitment to the development of South African football, but Petersen asked the question: What more can be done and what lessons can be learnt from the Chevrolet case study by corporate South Africa, government and ordinary citizens to achieve Vision 2022?
