Chippa faces opposition over move
CHIPPA United’s desire to move some of their matches to the Sisa Dukashe Stadium may well meet with resistance from Safa Buffalo City.
The Eastern Cape PSL outfit said this week they were contemplating a move to Sisa provided it passes the PSL test.
As reported yesterday, Chippa said the reason they were willing to choose Sisa instead of the Buffalo City Stadium was because they felt they were being bullied by the latter’s leaseholders – the Border Rugby Union.
However, it seems their move to Sisa would be met with strong resistance after the Safa Buffalo City region raised the alarm over possible clashes the PSL club’s fixtures might have with Mdantsane-based amateur clubs, who use the stadium.
“All Mdantsane clubs in the ABC Motsepe and Regional League have and continue to complain to Safa Buffalo City regarding the availability of Sisa Dukashe Stadium,” Safa BC president Prince Sibam said.
He said there were five SAB Regional League teams from Mdantsane – as well as two ABC Motsepe League sides – that had to play all their home fixtures away since Sisa was closed down more than a month ago in preparation for the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC).
The MDC is scheduled to take place from December 3 to 4 while the Chippa senior team is eyeing the same venue for December 17.
“It should be noted that Sisa Dukashe is the only facility in Mdantsane that is fit and proper – with change rooms, ablution facilities, water and a fit for purpose playing turf.”
According to Sibam, these are the minimum requirements to host ABC Motsepe league and Regional League (SAB) games.
Sibam said: “But, we will have to wait for the municipality to share with us the plan and way forward should Chippa be granted permission to use the facility.”
In the regional football body’s view, it was also worrying that Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality only invested in maintenance of sport facilities when Chippa United had to play or use them.
“There is little or no consideration for local federations like Safa Buffalo City and Border Rugby Union – the two most popular sporting codes in the metro,” Sibam said.
Sibam also raised concerns over the municipality’s approval of Chippa playing in East London at a cost of R6-million to ratepayers.
“This will be serious injustice to the footballing and sporting community of the BCM because to date we have submitted a proposal for football development to the metro and [are] yet to receive a response,” he said.