3 November 2020 – The KwaZulu Natal Masters and Legends Football Association, held a successful Provincial Consultative Forum at the Coastlands Hotel in Musgrave Durban in a bid to redefine “The Role of Legends in developing Football in the Province”.
The two-day conference was held on 30-31 October 2020 and was blessed by the presence of high-ranking officials from South African Football Association (SAFA), KwaZulu Natal Sports Confederation and KwaZulu Natal Department of Sport and Recreation, who joined legends from around the Province.
Among the guests who attended the KwaZulu Natal Masters and Legends Consultative Forum was the President of the South African Masters and Legends Football Association, Jacob “Buddha “ Mathathe and Vice-President, Muzi Khumalo, President of the KwaZulu Natal Sports Confederation, Thami Mchunu , NEC Member and Chairperson of the KZN SAFA, Kwenza Ngwenya and KwaZulu Natal Department of Sport and Recreation’s Chief Director of Sports Promotion and Development, Vijay Balram who all contributed positively to the success of the conference.
The objective of the KwaZulu Natal Masters and Legends Consultative Forum was to redefine “The Role of Legends in developing Football in the Province”.
Discussions covered topics such as the challenges faced by former players, administrators and officials, the role of Legends in regards to developing grassroots and schools football and identifying opportunities for their own development and welfare.
The president of SAMLFA Jacob “Buddha” Mathathe praised the members of the KZNMLFA for pulling out all stops and hosting such a successful Provincial Consultative forum.
“Congratulations to the newly appointed task team, it’s refreshing to see KZN organizing a successful conference with all the KZN Regions being represented. I would like to thank all the stakeholders who played a role in ensuring that this conference is a success,” said the SAMLFA president.
Mathathe highlighted some of the exciting plans that SAMLFA is currently working on behind the scenes that will benefit the beautiful game moving forward.
“SAMLFA in partnership with SAFA will be celebrating the Bafana Bafana Class of 96, which will mark the 25th Anniversary of their milestone of winning the African Cup of Nation in 1996. The celebrations are set to begin early next year and are geared to inspire ordinary South African,” added Mathathe.
Legends who attended the conference , unanimously appointed a task team headed by Philani Mabaso who is highly regarded in the industry after serving as a Public Relations and Communications Manager and Team Manager at AmaZulu Football Club and a team of well-respected legends in KwaZulu Natal such as Mary-Jane Sokhela, Krish Naidoo, Nosipho Mthembu, Nhlakanipho Mkhize, Siyabonga Sangweni, Japhet Zwane , Lindani Mzotho, Jabulani Ndwandwe , Lucky Maphisa and Sandile Ndlovu , who were tasked with driving the KZNMLFA Program of Action forward.
The newly appointed chairperson of the KZNMLFA Committee, Philani Mabaso, was grateful for the opportunity presented to him and thanked all stakeholders for their support .
“We would like to thank the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation, KZN SAFA and KZN Sports Confederation for supporting this initiative since last year. As the task team we commit ourselves in ensuring that all of the 6 pillars identified are implemented within the period given and ultimately deliver a successful Provincial Congress in 2021.”
KZN Department of Sport and Recreation Chief Director of Sports Promotion and Development, Mr. Vijay Balram pledged his support for such projects, while encouraging the legends to come up with more creative programs to help the development of football in the province.
“We as the Department of Sport and Recreation cannot be doing programs for legends but we need legends to do programs for themselves. As the department, our job is to be enablers who assists and support Legend as we have supported this two day Consultative Forum. We also commit to support the KZN Legends Development Plan moving forward,” concluded Balram
For more information, please contact:
Ntobeko Mbambo – on behalf of KZNMLFA
078 83 45 776
ntobekombambo8@gmail.com