The 2010 Soccer World Cup finals will do wonders to promote harmony and bring white soccer fans back to the game.
In an interview on Tuesday, Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Kjetil Siem said South Africa will reap enormous benefits, both on and off the field, during and after the 2010 world showpiece.
Said Siem: ”I think we can see more of the so-called lost white supporters returning to watch soccer. That will be a plus. South Africa created its own miracle when the country was declared independent in 1994. What the world wants to see in 2010 is white and black supporters sitting side by side cheering on Bafana Bafana.”
He said those who underestimate Bafana and head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira are in for a surprise. ”I believe Parreira and his squad is on track and, with the passion and home crowd behind them, I strongly believe Bafana will surprise a lot of countries in 2010.”
The PSL will do everything in its power to assist Parreira in getting his squad ready.
He explained: ”We are meeting shortly with Safa [the South African Football Association] and the 2010 LOC [local organising committee] to work out a plan of action. We will do everything we can to help.”
The 2009/10 PSL season will be split into two with the league programme finishing in March, after which the cup competitions will be played until the end of the season in May.
Said Siem: ”By finishing the league season in March, it will give Parreira the chance to get most of his local-based players into camp early. But details still have to be finalised.”
He also stated he was worried about the influx of too many average foreign players into the PSL.
”What we need to do is regulate the foreign players in the PSL. We could have a maximum quota of foreign players, but better would be a minimum of local-based players in every starting line-up in the PSL. That would force clubs to develop local talent.”
He is keen to bring back the PSL reserve league next season and launching under-18 and under -16 leagues countrywide. ”We must reinstate the reserve league and, by forming junior leagues with Safa as partners, we could go a long way in helping boost development and unearthing local talent.”
He also stressed that the R10-million on offer for this season’s Absa Premiership winner and the R500-million in sponsorship money has boosted clubs. ”The clubs can now afford better facilities and promote better players and not rely on cheaper foreign imports.” — Sapa