Amateur soccer clubs looking for sponsors

THE amateur football scene is taking a break today for Father’s Day celebrations, but the action will resume in the coming week.

Safa Chatsworth kicked off their league programme two weeks ago, but are still looking for financial backing to fund senior football in the region.

They have secured sponsorship for their junior structure, however, and will stage four tournaments at grassroots level. Local Football Association (LFA) chairperson Nelson Kuppan confirmed a R200 000 injection in junior football this season.

“We have almost 100 junior sides and it is important for us to develop these players,” he said.

According to Kuppan, the LFA is confident of signing on a new sponsor to fund their senior divisional cup.

“Our senior teams enjoy playing knockout football, and it tends to bring the best out of players. It is important for us to continue the tradition in hosting these competitions.”

Rainham Sporting and Coronation have made bright starts in the Safa Phoenix Premier League.

Both sides have won all seven of their games so far and are separated by goal difference at the top the standings.

If the early indications are anything to go by, the race for honours will be a fierce one once again on the KZN North Coast. “The teams have made their intentions clear early on,” LFA boss Desmond Ganesan said.

“We have teams with ambitions of gaining promotion to the SAB League, so they take our league very seriously.”

Meanwhile, Ganesan confirmed that Safa Phoenix will kick off their annual FA Cup next month. The race for honours is just as tight at Durban Central, with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) topping the table after five rounds of action.

“DUT are a virtually unknown team and I think they have the opposition by surprise with their fast-paced football,” LFA president Errol Sewnarain said.

“I consider this to be one of the most competitive league competitions in the province. The Premier League produced SAB play-off winners in Newlands FC last season and I am confident we can repeat that feat.”

Royal Eagles and Morningside Alex are also in the hunt and will be expected to fight it out for the title.