As the South African Football Association’s (SAFA’s) Local Football Association’s amateur league kicks off the season, the financial position of many teams make for grim viewing.
The start of the league provides few clues as to the financial challenges facing the sport as almost a million fans are expected to watch their teams compete.
However, payment of registration cards at SAFA Cape Town, purchase of sport equipment and other basic necessities are not easy to come.
The widening gap between poor and wealthy teams can be seen across the city.Â
Gugulethu’s Real Ideas in NY 141-113 is one of those struggling teams. Real Ideas Made E.A.S.I®FC was founded in 1973 by the late Edwin Vuyisile Mgilane with his associates in an effort to keep the youth actively involved in sports during the dark political times in our country.
Currently, the club is affiliated with the Gugulethu Local Football Association, a subsidiary of SAFA Cape Town. Owner and manager, Xolisa Sonti has made a special plea to the public for help.
The team is selling a hygienic toilet product to source funds for the operation of the club, mainly for payment of registration cards at SAFA Cape Town, purchase of equipment and other requirements.Â
“We have been trying with our team to gather enough money to get the registration fee. Football for us is a tool that affords us a good platform to instil a culture of discipline, teamwork, perseverance and respect. Moreover, these are young boys who are exposed to so many anti-social activities and mostly those who come from underprivileged households often succumb to crime. In efforts to source funds to assist boys whose parents do not afford registration fees we are selling toilet fizzies to also promote the culture of using water responsibly,” he said.
The team is the current champions of Ward 40 with divisions ranging from under-14 and under-16 to the senior team.Â
Xolisa said under some difficult circumstances, the team has been lucky enough to have support from the likes of Sisanda Ngcawuzela from Mzoli’s Place, Peter Morale, Pierre Fabe and his wife, Sean Lubbe and Andisiwe Mtsila just to mention a few. The team has now embarked on selling the flush toilet fizzies for R40, with each pack containing 50 tablets.
For more information contact 084 662 2157.