SAFA CEO, Tebogo Motlanthe, has revealed the setback behind the professionalisation of the women’s league in South Africa.
In the last few years, the world has witness growth in women’s football, even in South Africa.
In the last year, Banyana Banyana were crowned the African Champions for the first time in history, and also qualified for their second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup.
On the other hand, South Africa has been witnessing an influx of players moving overseas and thriving on foreign land.
However, even though Banyana are doing well and moving in the right trajectory, there have been a few setbacks with regards to the functionality of the women’s league.
One of the issues that has been in the spotlight for a while now is the professionalisation of the Hollywoodbets Super League.
The Super League is a semi-professional league. This means that the league is not fully professional but also not an amateur one. The unfortunate part is that the players are not being paid at the same rate as professional football players.
SAFA CEO, Motlanthe, put his head on the block on The Marawa Show, on 94.7, on Thursday, 21 April, and said he is optimistic that the Super League will be professionalised before the end of his term.
The CEO also outlined the setbacks currently holding the professionalisation of the Super League.
MOTLANTHE ON THE PROFESSIONALISATION OF THE SUPER LEAGUE
“The commercial backing, I mean first we need to sort out the broadcasting issue. Because the issue of national public broadcaster is not working,” said Motlanthe.
“So we need to sell the women’s football league as an item. Because you look at the countries throughout, they get their many through broadcasting.
“So we need to now start marketing this league of women. And ensure that it turns professional, the commercial backing is key to that.
“We need to go and knock at the doors, Hollywoodbets has come on board. But is it enough? It’s not.
“Because when you talk professionalisation, you talk about players being paid as male counterparts do.
“So, I think that the best way is to knock at the doors. But we must also thank the government.
“When it comes to women’s football, the government has been giving a once-off grant which assists the running of the league. But it is not enough; we need to go out there,” concluded Motlanthe.
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