The highly publicized Premier’s Cup Launch took place at Bloemfontein’s Bon hotel, where high ranking officials from the South African Football Association, The Office of the Premier as well as the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation were under one roof with various soccer gems from across the province.
Here the beautiful logo of the newly launched tournament was unveiled.
“It’s saddens me so deeply to see Bloemfontein Celtic supporters wearing their beloved teams regalia to just have picnics. This just shows how deep the love of soccer goes and just how much the team meant to the Siwelele faithful, it was the anchor of their lives. This propelled us to realize the role of government, which is to ensure that the environment is conducive for each of us to realize our best potential” said Premier Dukwana Mxolisi
He added that “It may just be a business deal to the highest bidder if one ever buys a team’s status and brings it to Bloemfontein, but developing teams and seeing their ups and downs is not only beautiful to see but gives patriotism a great platform. The teams should be at a highly competitive level and not just add numbers.
We highly appreciate the support received from SAFA and look forward to this competition; we are well on our way to making sports an industry in the Free State Province.”
This annual event has been created to capacitate teams competitively, financially and otherwise to enable ease into high end competitions and to sustain soccer in our province and plans are already in place to include other sporting codes.
The 16 teams will proudly wear this logo on their chest in two days’ time at the Petrus Molemela Stadium as the jam packed tournament kicks off.
Mr Linda Zwane, vice President of Safa says SAFA is grateful for the bold step taken by Premier, after coming to Free State to get an understanding the state of soccer in the Free State, we noted that finance or the lack thereof plays a huge role in the absence of development of the sport. This is pacesetter moves and this shows that the FSPG has its ear on the ground and understands the needs of its people.
The uncomfortable place that is soccer without the Free State will soon be a thing of the past.
Women’s football is a priority and we call on the Free State government to put this at the top of the agenda.