CEO Trevor Phillips has described weekend reports that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is poised to take over control of Bafana Bafana as ”far-fetched” — but confirmed there will probably be a greater involvement by the professional organisation in the running of the national team.
”This is not an urgent issue related only to rebuilding Bafana as a respected force before the advent of the 2010 World Cup,” said Phillips on Sunday, ”but also to streamline all issues linked to professionalism in South African soccer.
”But the proposed new committee will remain under the aegis of Safa [the South African Football Association], the official controlling body of South African soccer and one that is thus recognised by world controlling body Fifa. Talking of takeovers is simply a load of bull.
”What it will mean, however, is that officials with experience in professional soccer will handle professional soccer matters.
”In this way, the key issue of financing a new development structure for South African soccer is likely to be greatly enhanced, with sponsors earmarked for high-profiled professional events required to inject a percentage of money towards uplifting soccer at grassroots level.”
Among those earmarked as members of the new-look professional committee are Phillips himself, local World Cup organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan, Safa president Molefi Oliphant, Safa CEO Raymond Hack, Ajax Cape Town CEO and PSL executive member John Comitis, and Kaizer Chiefs MD Kaizer Motaung — if he declares himself available.
It will also mean the disbandment of Safa’s disastrous technical committee under the chairpersonship of Sturu Pasiya, who appointed Ted Dumitru coach of Bafana’s ill-fated African Nations Cup campaign in Egypt.
It is this committee, with little experience of international soccer matters, that is seen to be at the root of Bafana plummeting to their lowest level in 13 years.
Phillips, however, stressed the vital changes have still to be sanctioned by Safa — and it is conceivable the ”old guard” of soccer verkramptes could dig in their heels and stonewall changes. — Sapa