Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula has given Varsity Football the thumbs up.
Mbalula, who attended the grand finale between UP-Tuks and NMMU on Monday night, said this concept will boost the development of football in the country.
Speaking after he handled the trophy presentations at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria, Mbalula said: “The Varsity Football competition is fantastic for sport and it has been our vision to get sports going in the universities and this competition has shown that this is the way for football development. We will commit ourselves and help to drive this initiative.”
The who’s who of the football fraternity such as former Bafana Bafana and VFB Stuttgart defender Bradley Carnell, Leeds United legend and ex-Bafana skipper Lucas Radebe and Tuks coach Steve Barker to mention just a few were some of the faces spotted at the match.
When asked where to for these boys as the competition came to an end, Mbalula called on the top names that were seen at the game to ensure that these talents do not go to waste.
“Well these boys will be supported in many ways and those who have talent will go places and play in the PSL and lower divisions to fulfil their dreams and desires of become professional footballers,” he said.
The Eastern Cape currently does not have a Premier Soccer League team, but Mbalula had some encouraging words to the losing semifinalists NMMU, who were hammered 4-1.
The minister said their fairytale run at the competition will help to open doors and end the thirst for football which the people in that province are experiencing.
“This is good particularly for the Eastern Cape, they have put their province on the map. But over and above for university sport we have seen that there is talent at this level,” he said.
Often it is said that the South African football development structures are not good enough, but the Minister believes that Varsity Football provides a vital stepping stone for young players.
“This development is very good we seen have a lot of sponsorship and also lot of support in terms of the base,” said the minister.
Thabo Mnyanane of North West University in Mafikeng was signed by AmaTuks on a three-year-deal and Mbalula praised the clubs for what they have done.
“If it was me who is signing these players I would have signed all of them. There is amazing talent here and I’m happy with what AmaTuks did and I’m appealing to other clubs to follow in their footsteps and help to develop and nature this talent.
“The football here is almost at the same standard of the professional league. I’m very much excited about what has happened here. We have seen rugby blossom, now its soccer and soon netball will follow suit,” he added.
By Charles Baloyi – Sports writer Daily Sun and Sunday Sun
