Richards Bay FC chairman Jomo Biyela has revealed what the club plans to do to avoid fighting relegation next season.
The Natal Rich Boyz retained their DStv Premiership status after winning the PSL Promotion/Relegation playoffs.
The chairman pointed out that their difficulties were due to hosting their matches in Durban instead of their hometown, Richards Bay.
The club from Zululand had to resort to playing at King Zwelithini Stadium following the PSL’s prohibition of uMhlathuze Sports Complex in 2021.
JOMO BIYELA – ‘THAT’S THE FIRST THING WE MUST DO’
“We need to go back to Richards Bay, that’s the first thing,” Biyela told journalists after the final game of the playoffs.
“As long as we are not playing in Richards Bay, we will always have challenges. You see, we come here, how much are we spending here?
“You hire the ground, you come the day before, you [pay for] accommodation, you hire the ground for the final preparation, we don’t have a sponsor.
“So, what do you expect from us? The only thing that can help us is for us to play in Richards Bay. As long as we’re playing away, then we will always have challenges.”
Asked what has delayed their return to uMhlathuze Sports Complex, Biyela said it was not in his hands, saying they’re waiting on Municipality.
‘I DON’T OWN ANY SPORTS FACILITY’
“I don’t own any sports facility; I’m not like Baroka. As I rely on the municipality to give me [the stadium], but you [media] know better,” he explained.
“You know that PSL didn’t find the [Mhlathuze Sports Complex] to be in the right standard. That’s the situation even now. We are waiting for the municipality to finalise everything.”
Biyela pleaded with the local municipality to help speed up the process for the club to return to its people in Richards Bay.
“I always read the newspaper it’s 80% complete, sometimes I drive there I see…I don’t think it’s 80%, but I’m not an engineer. So, we are hoping [next season] we are able to play in Richards Bay,” he concluded.
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