If Safa Cape Town’s Hollywoodbets Third Division pre-season annual meeting is anything to go by, then clubs are in for a rough ride!
Clubs participating in the Third Division campaign are now seeking answers and clarity ahead of the start of the new campaign.
The majority of the clubs were present and raised their financial issues and challenges with the powers that be in the region.
There were even talks of a possible sponsor boycott which leaves the impression that clubs are now fed up.
Other issues such as the increase of affiliation fees, without the input of the clubs, as well as a request for it to be used as prize money.
Needless to say, these club members were left unimpressed as the meeting started more than an hour late due to a prior booking.
The meeting barely started and the MFC delegate from Matroosfontein, David Slater, fired away as he felt strongly about some unaddressed money issues from the Nedbank Cup and the league of last season.
“We asked them what the sponsor (Hollywoodbets) put on the table,” Slater told No Bones with Jones. “Last year, they accepted the (sponsor) offer but they don’t know the details. Dis mos nou a klomp stront, as jy my vra (This is a load of rubbish, if you ask me).
“Then we got the gear and we wanted to know what we were playing for. All I said was we are going into 2024 while 2023 is not yet settled. And how the hell can we be part of a decision or discussion for the new season, and we still don’t know what we’re playing for?
Jomos Power’s big boss Lonn Van Graan said he is baffled at the region’s rationale. “It is in the uniform rules that the affiliation (R3000) and registration fee cover the first 22 players,” Van Graan told our website.
“We understand everything goes up and we must pay to play, but then you can’t take away the registration of 22 players for free as stated in the rules,” Van Graan added.
No Bones with Jones was informed that the region’s delegation, consisting of their Head of Competitions Bayanda Sikiti (pictured) and Andrew Bothman were caught off guard as they had no real answers and explanation for the issues and concerns raised, especially by Slater.
The new General Secretary Reyaad Joseph had a prior commitment but eventually honoured the meeting as well. Contrary to information relayed to our website, Sikiti vehemently stated the meeting went according to the agenda and according to plan.
“It was not interrupted or distracted or whatever the case may be,” Sikiti explained. “There was only a proposal from the clubs, in terms of the prize money and registration and affiliation fee… That was the only thing that was brought forward to our attention by the clubs.
“Obviously, they’ve raised their unhappiness with Hollywoodbets as the sponsor and the only reason why they are unhappy is because they don’t know what’s in it for them from the sponsor.”
Last season clubs received only one kit per team and there were many instances where colours clashed as most clubs were not even playing in their actual club colours as they are mandated to play in the sponsor’s kit.
Our website understands that a date of 15 September was set for feedback on the above-mentioned issues to the clubs but according to Sikiti it will not be possible.
