The fourth edition of the SAFA Hollywoodbets Super League is set to kick off in February 2023.
The 16-team League has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, although there are still challenges faced. Issues of grants and travelling logistics are just some of the issues that teams without a financial backing face.
At the moment, each Hollywoodbets Super League team receives R110 000 every month as a grant.
FARPost caught up with one of the founding member teams, First Touch Ladies owner Sipho Kekana.
Kekana says it has been a difficult three seasons in the league, but he can see an improvement.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for us because I remember the first season I travelled from Polokwane to Cape Town with a bus because there is no money for flights,” he said.
“But now, during the third season, things are coming right, and the players have tried to adjust to the situation even though the grant doesn’t meet our demands. For example, if we have a match in Cape Town, we still need around R 70 000, and if we include accommodation, it can be around R 100 000.”
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FOURTH SEASON
“You see, it’s difficult for me to even hire a coach. That’s why I am doing things by myself. I am coaching, managing and everything because I cannot hire somebody when I don’t have money. But if the league can improve things financially, then things can improve. We are talking about female players who need a lot of things, from cosmetics and other things. In December, when these players go home, they need money to help their families, so if the league can enhance that aspect, it would be better.
ON CHALLENGING MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
“We are getting there. If you saw the results from the past season, TUT and UJ beat Mamelodi Sundowns. It shows that the competition within the league is coming closer. A lot of teams are planning now and not just sitting back and allowing Sundowns to dominate the league. It would be a new development in the upcoming season for a lot of teams, including my team.”
RELATED STORY: Hollywoodbets is not enough: Former Banyana star Khabo Zitha
