Danny Jordaan is back at the helm of the South African Football Association (Safa) as the chief executive officer tasked with improving both the image of the association and the performance of the national teams. He spoke to Ntuthuko Maphumulo about the challenge ahead.
What is the annual budget for Safa and how is this likely to be met this year?
The budget is about R120-million, but we’re still in the process of finalising it and I don’t want to go into details.
How do you intend to sort out Safa’s R50-million debt?
We are still trying to finalise a recovery programme.
What motivated you to return to the position of Safa CEO?
It was an executive decision to recall me to my post and also the challenge of having to turn Safa into a better organisation as it is central to the delivery of the 2010 World Cup. As the country is hosting an event that is world-class, Safa should also become world-class.
Pending legislation that might force SABMiller to curtail its sponsorship, the Springboks have taken on a new non-liquor sponsor in Sasol. Is soccer not leaving it late to try to secure an alternative sponsor?
No. Castle has been part of football for over three decades now and Fifa have a beer company sponsor, Budweiser, who could also come in and be part of the 2010 World Cup as they are the 2006 World Cup partners. World football draws a distinction between hard and soft alcohol and beer is seen as soft alcohol. I am not convinced that a ban on liquor advertising should be extended to football. Therefore we are not late nor are we looking for an alternative to Castle.
South Africa’s junior teams have failed over the past two years to qualify for any major tournaments such as the African youth championships or Olympics, which doesn’t bode well for the senior team in 2010. What is the cause of this failure and what remedy do you propose?
This issue is dear to my heart. In terms of youth development the organisation has been dormant for some time now. The framework is there but no proper job has been done. We have failed to monitor the progression of players from the under 12 to under-23 national teams. And these players do not get to play much football.
We look to having a national youth league. Already we are trying to secure games for them. We are also looking to formulate a programme where these youngsters are monitored in the various clubs they play for and get a lot of tournaments to keep the players active.
And the women’s team? How serious is Safa about it and where do you envisage women’s soccer going?
We are serious about women’s football, but currently that game is still in an amateur phase. In order for us to develop the game to a professional level there are a number of things that need to be sorted out.
Firstly we need to develop high-profile players in the women’s game. We need to build a profile for women’s soccer. That requires consistent television coverage to build this brand.
We need to build strong teams in the various regions before we even think of having a women’s league. But we are working on all these things as sponsors are knocking on the door to be part of the game.
Until we achieve this a women’s league is still not viable.
How do you intend to remedy the problem of player unavailability for Bafana Bafana?
The club versus country debate is a universal one as it has become part of modern football. No other industry has one person employed by two bosses. The players are not to be blamed when they cannot come and play for their country. The solution is communication with the various clubs the players play for.
Another thing people need to understand is that there are rules and regulations of how many times a player can play for his national team [seven times a year]. Once this quota is finished the club has the right to refuse to give us that player. So the best way of solving this problem is communication and having a structured calendar so we can sit down with the team and decide which game the player can attend and which one he cannot. It is all about compromise.
Did you expect any additional remuneration for securing the World Cup?
Yes.
Are you going to accept the R7,5-million bonus?
The issue of a bonus is still under discussion by the Safa executive. I have received no money yet. The main issue now is the viability of Safa, whether I get paid now or in six years’ time and whether the amount is R1-million or more the executive of Safa will decide.
When do you expect to be required to focus your energy full time on your World Cup 2010
organising duties?
It will be after the 2006 World Cup. Currently we are in the first phase, where it is all about compliance, for example with the building of infrastructure and the passing of special legislation.