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Baroka FC’s elevation to the Absa Premiership has prompted the Limpopo government into action.
This week the provincial government made a commitment to rally behind the newly promoted side.
Premier Chupu Mathabatha told local radio station Thobela FM that his government would help Baroka financially – and also contribute a bull towards the team’s promotion celebrations. They are scheduled for later this month.
But sensing this could get them into trouble, the government also decided to help another provincial side – Polokwane City – as well.
This came after City boss Johnny Mogaladi went to the same station to say his club had never received government backing. Limpopo government spokes-person, Phuti Seloba, confirmed they had made a pledge to help both clubs.
He pointed out that the government had not sprung into action because of Baroka. He said the support was long coming.
“As you are well aware, the provincial government formally came out of administration on March 31 2016. It is common knowledge that prior to this, we were put under section 100(1b) of the Constitution and latter section 100(1a) of the Constitution until March 31.
“The provincial government got back the management of its affairs from April 1 2016. The premier acknowledged and congratulated all our soccer teams in higher divisions during the 2016 state of the province address and committed the provincial government to supporting those teams,” said Seloba.
This week, he said, the province set in motion the process of assisting the two clubs in the elite division to ensure they continued to do well in the Premiership.
“This initiative, this will help us grow our local brand of football. We will do everything in our power, and within the legal framework, to ensure our teams remain on top. If resources permitted, we would have done this earlier but everyone in this country, even those beyond our borders, are aware of our previous financial situation.”
Mogaladi said he was happy the province would come to their aid.
He said, however, that nothing had been communicated to him as yet.
“I believe in the leadership of the province. We welcome their support and are looking forward to that, if it comes. It will help us to compete with the best. It will come in very handy,” said Mogaladi.
But he did not want to steal Baroka’s limelight right now, he said.
“At the moment there is a vibe in the province. We are all celebrating Baroka’s achievement together as people of Limpopo. I am happy we are going to have a Limpopo derby and we want to make it a memorable one. We will work hard to have our derby recognised.
“In fact, we are going to have 30 games at home. That is a good thing for the province as it will create job opportunities and benefit people. Our people are now spoiled for choice,” Mogaladi said.
Baroka chairperson Khurishi Mphahlele said they would welcome the government’s support.
“Our government has shown good intention to support us and we will appreciate it.
“In fact, if there was a policy to support village clubs, we’d welcome it to uplift our people,” said an excited Mphahlele.
He promised a feast for their celebrations, and said they had invited chiefs from Sekhukhune and the premier to grace the occasion.
