The official recognition of the SA Federation Legends Committee as representative body of Safa National was long overdue – yet very welcome indeed.
And how fitting is it not that this auspicious occasion was held at Curries Fountain in Durban – where the final federation game was played before unification.
The SA Fed Legends, through the formation of the committee, aims to rekindle former members of the SASFPL and to ensure its legacy is preserved and that members’ well-being are cared for as well as contributing to coaching and development with their respective region’s structures.
The body comprises former players, officials and supporters of the South African Soccer Federation Professional League, which played a major role in the history of South African soccer during Apartheid.
Junaid Daries (WP Fed Legends PRO) recently released a statement that reads: “The SA Federation Legends committee took a big step today to launch a national committee after many months of preparation involving 5 regions (Southern KwaZulu-Natal, Western Gauteng, Northern Kwa- Zulu-Natal and Eastern Cape).
“These are the regions where professional soccer was played under the administration of the South African Federation Professional League. The committee elected the following office bearers: Chairperson- Ashwin Trikamjee, the chairpersons of each region as Deputy Chairs: Stephen Williams (WP), Siraj Abbas( Gauteng), Jasper Vurden (S-KZN), Bravo Jacobs (EC), Mervyn Whiteman (NKZN); Secretary: Haroon Mahomed (WP), Assistant Secretary:, Ronnie Moodley (S-KZN), Treasurer: Younus Karolia (GP), Assistant Treasurer: Krish Naidoo( EC), Records Clerk: Derek Eastwood (GP), Media Officer: Morgan Pillay (N-KZN), Technical Development Officer: Boebie Solomons (WP) and Social Responsibility Officer: Ronald James(NKZN). Gerald Ferror is the additional member.
All of the newly elected office bearers have played or served in the clubs and committees of the SA Soccer Federation or the FED legends,” the statement ended.
Incoming Chairperson, Mr Trikmajee, recalled experiences of running the professional league, often with no sponsorship and the loss of records of the SASFPL in the post-1994 period, and the importance of having the history of contribution and sacrifice properly recorded and publicised.
“The launch of the National SA Fed Soccer Legends is yet another poignant moment in the annals of non-racial sport in South Africa,” Trikamajee said in his acceptance speech. “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,” he added.
The SA FED Legends has operated at regional levels since 2006 and has 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 re-unions and recognition events have been held over the years, and many have been supported at a welfare level, as needed, with illness and with funerals. Each region has conducted coaching and development programs.
The future plans are to get formal recognition with SAFA 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 programs that can be made available.
