Glencore partners with SAFA to develop young players and coaches in local communities

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Glencore partners with SAFA to develop young players and coaches in local communities
PROGRESS: eMalahleni's development football has been given a much needed boost with the launch of the eMalahleni LFA's Community Football Programme in partnership with mining giant Glencore. PICTURE BY Glencore

The partnership will run until the year 2025.


Coal miner Glencore has announced its partnership with SAFA aimed at helping develop young players and coaches in the local communities where they do mining.

The partnership is also with the Community Football Programme as well as the eMalahleni Local Football Association.

The partnership will target enthusiastic young footballers from 180 teams and will ensure they get the correct mentorship, training and the resources “that are neccesary for them to succeed,” company spokeswoman Chivani Chetran said.

The launch of the partnership was held at the Witbank Puma Stadium Saturday 15 October 2022 and a jersey for the eMalahleni Local Football Association was unveiled.

Glencore partners with SAFA to develop young players and coaches in local communities
Glencore CEO Houston Murray officially unveils the eMalahleni LFA jersey at the Puma Stadium

Legends such as Cyril Nzama, Doctor Khumalo, Frank Makua and Jabu ‘Pule’ Mahlangu played in a friendly match with Glencore employees during the launch as well as boys and girls from the under-19s soccer teams.

Glencore partners with SAFA to develop young players and coaches in local communities
The DK15 Legends team led by Doctor Khumalo which featured the likes of striker Jerry Skhosana, former Bafana Bafana defender Cyril Nzama, Orlando Pirates striker Steve Lekoalea and midfield maestro Jabu Pule Mahlangu

The soccer programme will train and mentor both boys and girls in football.

Glencore South Africa CEO Murray Houston said the partnership will be remembered as one of the “monumental” days for the future of soccer in our communities.

“Today is really an exciting day for us at Glencore. It’s been such an amazing experience to have watched some of our sports teams who were playing today and to witness the incredible talent that exists in eMalahleni.

“The launch of this partnership is a start of great things for this community and will inject a turnkey programme to professionalise football.

“I want to encourage every player and every coach that will receive mentoring through this programme to grab this opportunity with both hands.

Glencore partners with SAFA to develop young players and coaches in local communities
Glencore CEO Houston Murray

“We are supporting you at Glencore because we want you to progress in a sport that ignites your passion,” the CEO said.

Glencore’s support of the programme will cover costs of renting offices, buying of new computers, printers and other important administrative equipments and football kits.

SAFA vice president Linda Zwane thanked Glencore for the support and said the partnership will definitely change the face of soccer in the eMalahleni area.

“More importantly, such partnership assists the association to achieve many of its objectives. We are looking forward to many great seasons and years of more investment which will benefit of South Africa,” Zwane said.

Khumalo said he was pleased and that he “shared the excitement of the many kids and locals” who will benefit from the coal mining giant’s support.

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