Big chill for Chippa
Still no joy for EL Chilli Boy fans
HOPES of Chippa United playing some of its home games in Buffalo City Metro remains a distant dream for now.
The matter was meant to be discussed at the council meeting, but the item was deferred because city manager Andile Sihlahla had submitted an inadequate report.
The accounting officer was previously told to present a comprehensive report that would detail the cost of having the Chilli Boys play in the metro. Councillors also want the report to detail what sport development programmes the club would have in the city, council chief whip Mzwandile Vaaiboom said yesterday.
In October last year, mayor Xola Pakati announced that the city would terminate its partnership with the Port Elizabeth-based outfit.
The city has been paying Chippa United R1-million a game but the project was described as too costly for the city.
Councillors rejected a memorandum of understanding that would have seen the deal escalate to R1.3 million a game last year, with some councillors even saying the agreement only benefited Chippa.
Soccer fanatics have been demanding that the city approves the agreement and have Chippa play in Mdantsane.
Yesterday club spokesman Luthando Zibeko said: “We are not privy to the information you are talking about relating to the council meeting, so we would not want to comment.”
● The Chippa item was not the only sports item that was deferred to the next meeting as another report responding to a notice of questions by EFF councillor Chumani Matiwane was also moved.
This related to requests for sports sponsorship by soccer, rugby, netball and boxing clubs.
EC Bees, Tornado, Sophumelela Sports Development, Dodgers, Alikho Group, Winter Rose, netball club Spiders, Eastern Cape Legends Boxing Development, Loyiso Mtya Boxing Development and Sinakho Boxing Club are among those who requested financial support from the municipality.
The report also lists a number of boxing promotions, including Mkwayi Boxing Promotions, Sindi K Promotions TZ Promotions.
Aerobics, cricket, basketball, volleyball and karate and BCMM Sports and Recreation Club also requested funding.
Only council, according to the report, can approve amounts above R400 000 while Sihlahla can approve those between R100 000 and R400 000. Border Rugby requested R2.5-million, Border Cricket applied for R550 000 and BCM Open Boxing for R2-million.
Safa-BCM asked for a cash injection of R490 000, BCM Netball R560 000 and bodybuilding: KM Sports for R1.295-million.