The South African Federation Legends launched a national committee with the aim to coach and develop youth in the game of soccer.
The committee, which was launched last weekend after many months of preparation, will include five regions, namely southern and northern KwaZulu-Natal, Western Province, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.
Professional soccer was previously played under the South African Soccer Federation Professional League (SASFPL).
The committee members include former players, officials and supporters of the SASFPL, which played a major role in the history of South African soccer during apartheid.
The SA Soccer Federation was formed in 1951 as the first soccer association to bring together the different racially classified excluded associations of the time and continued that tradition until 1992 when it gave up its status in the interest of national unity.
However, Morgan Pillay, spokesperson for the committee, said they saw a decline in the maintenance of the club after the demise of apartheid.
“Unfortunately, since then its structures in the SA Council on Sport (Sacos) have experienced a decline at both professional and amateur levels. After the unity talks and Sacos structures being shut down we were further marginalised as there were no organised sports in our communities.
“... the infrastructure which existed was either poorly maintained or never maintained by the local municipalities in our communities. Hence there was a downward spiral and many potential athletes lost interest,” said Pillay.
He said the aim of the committee was to bring together the former members of the SASFPL to ensure its legacy is not lost while contributing to coaching and development of the youth.
“The SA FED Legends have operated at regional levels since 2006 and have succeeded in reconnecting all 45 clubs and almost all the players, officials, referees and supporters that played in the league from 1961 to 1992.
“Many club, regional and national reunions and recognition events have been held over the years, and many have been supported at a welfare level as needed. This committee will allow each region to conduct coaching and development programmes.
“The future plans are to get formal recognition from the SA Football Association 9Safa) for FED Legends to be recognised for their contributions and sacrifices to soccer, to be more involved in coaching and development, and to strengthen the wellness support programmes that can be made available,” said Pillay.
Ashwin Trikamjee, chairperson of the committee, recalled experiences of running the professional league, often with no sponsorship and the loss of records of the SASFPL in the post 1994 period.
He highlighted the importance of having the history of contribution and sacrifice properly recorded and published.
He said he was deeply honoured to have been given the opportunity to be the committee's chairperson.
“I feel privileged and humbled by the invitation, it reminds me of my glory days of being part of the federations professional league. The federation creates a camaraderie, we are a family which makes me even happier to lead this organisation," said Trikamjee.
He recalled playing soccer in his youth and serving the federation for more than 20 years.
“Being the president of the professional soccer federation was difficult during apartheid, we had no donors and sponsorships. Our players made sacrifices and were still not acknowledged. I’m sure everyone is excited to see what the federation will do to promote soccer amongst youth, especially to have them be successful in the sport.
“The launch of the National SA Federation Soccer Legends is yet another poignant moment in the annals of non-racial sport in South Africa. The launch will ensure that the history of non-racial football will not be erased from the records. The tasks that will be undertaken are preserving the legacy, social responsibility towards all its members and continued contribution to the development of non racial coaching and administration. Support will be sourced for all the planned activities,” said Trikamjee.