SAB League outfits receive timely shot in the arm

SAB League teams got a muchneeded boost when South African Breweries sponsored them with technical kit during an official handover ceremony at the SAB East London Depot yesterday.

BCM regional team coach Themba Smanga said the equipment which includes cones would go a long way as the prospective soccer stars stand a chance to make it to top-flight football very much as the likes of Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who is now playing at SuperSport United.

“When you look at the boys playing at U12 level for instance from a team with the right equipment and you compare them with players that don’t have any equipment you see a huge difference.

“Because as they grow older they need proper training to develop and for those without proper equipment it becomes difficult for them to develop. “Overseas you find 16-year-olds playing at World Cup level and it’s things like these that help those young players over there achieve those high standards of football.

“Because with the correct equipment and proper training any child can make it to the top.”

Smanga said football at regional level was faced with many challenges, but they would not let anything deter them in their bid to develop their players.

“We are faced with unaffordable transport fees where we have to transport the teams to away games and we have to pay like R2 000 for a 40km trip and it’s difficult because of the lack of funds.”

Safa-BCM president Prince Sibam said for the past 17 years SAB has helped the 52 Safa regional leagues with the necessities to produce football stars and they continued to be responsible corporate citizens in the country.

“Over the years they have given us technical kits and playing kits, which have been very helpful, including the university bursaries they have for our players.

“They also help us with their coaching programmes where they train our coaches throughout the year including the youth development programmes for our players and we are grateful for their contribution.”