Central out of starting blocks with unified thumbs up

EAST London Central Local Football Association hosted its second edition Elective Congress last Saturday at the North End Stadium and its club members unanimously passed a vote of confidence in most of the current executive committee.

There are only three new additions to the committee.

Star of India chairman Warren Vengadajellum is the new vicechair, replacing Graham Lottering.

Vengadajellum will also spearhead the finance committee, while senior vice-chairman Shane Benny will be affairs.

Seagulls FC general secretary Andrew Seekoei was elected as assistant secretary, Napoli chairman Lazola Poyo as referees chairman, and Pride of India youth head coach Darian Hendricks was elected as assistant technical director.

EL central chairman Gavin van Rooyen also marked 20 consecutive years of serving on the North End executive committee, which included six years as chairman.

He presented his manifesto at the in charge of membership forum, which included establishing better ways of ensuring that members within the LFA’s are seen as the pillars of the organisation, ensuring that each member becomes a viable entity on its own and establishing a new culture of accountability through regular structured reports.

In line with its commitment to youth development, East London Central technical director Charles Pretorius said the EL Central U14 squad will travel to Port Elizabeth on February 25 to participate in two Goodwill fixtures over that weekend against Northern Areas U14s.

Youth chairman Vuyo Zambodla said one of the reasons for the trip was to reward the players who excelled in the 2016 AE Bob Provincial Inter-LFA tournament when they reached the final – only to lose out on a penalty shootout against Northern Areas LFA.

Pretorius also announced that the association will be selecting a youth player at the end of this season to participate in the Barcelona Youth Football Club Tournament in Spain in 2018.

Buffalo City Soccer School FC and Saints FC were elevated to the 2017 Super 12 Premier League after some fine showing in the promotional league last season.

New club applicants and former Bunkers West affiliates Santa Rosa FC and Merchants FC made a return to the association’s fold together with newly-established clubs, Shockwaves FC, Alphen Warriors FC and Sun-rise FC. — DDC