The Sol Plaatje Local Football Association (SPLFA) development structure hosted its 2015-’16 annual award ceremony at the Mayibuye Multi-purpose Centre on Saturday (04/02).
The ceremony saw players in the various structures (u.11, u.13, u.15, u.17 and u.19) smiling all the way to the stage.
They received acknow-ledgement for their hard work throughout the season.
During the awards ceremony, Seabata Makhele, chairperson of the SPLFA, expressed his satisfaction regarding the smooth administration of the development committee during the season.
“The 2015-’16 season was a major success,” Makhele said.
“The administration was up to scratch in terms of hosting meetings, record keeping and finishing their games within the prescribed time.”
He sang the praises of the different teams for showing commitment in having a minimum of three teams, as prescribed by the league requirements.
“Struggling as they are, we applaud all the structures for all the hard work that they had put in throughout the season.”
With regard to the different teams’ hard work, it had been possible to draw up at least four elite teams that participated in the inter-provincial games in East London in 2016.
Makhele pointed out that with the support of the parents’ committee, the association would continue to produce those elite teams in an effort to develop players towards national and professional level.
Speaking on discipline throughout the season, the chairperson revealed that there were only a few minor cases in which a team had had to be reprimanded.
He said the ceremony had gone well, as the teams appreciated the trophies that they were presented with.
“We had wished to have some kind of monetary prizes. However, development is not all about money.”
He identified the Kimberley High Soccer Academy as a powerful driving force within the structure.
Highlighting the challenges that they might face in the next season, Makhele mentioned a lack of funding and sponsorships for the clubs.
Some of the clubs, including the exact elite teams still do not have a full set of soccer kid, including practice ground.
“The municipality must still be approached to maintain the sportsgrounds and to keep it clean, especially after the recent rains that we have had,” he said in conclusion.
