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The sponsor, Limpopo Legislature's Chief Whip, Falaza Mdaka.

Fans accuse Mdaka of failing to honour agreement

 

There is growing unhappiness among soccer fans in the Makhado area, following the alleged failure of the Chief Whip of the Limpopo Province to honour a sponsorship agreement. The well-known politician, Falaza Mdaka, is accused of reneging on his promise to pay R20 000 to the winners of a league named after himself.

When the tournament was launched at the end of 2014, it was announced that 16 senior teams and eight junior teams would battle things out for the prize money and trophies. The winners of the tournament were to receive R3 500 and a floating trophy. The other prizes were R2 500 (second), R2 100 (third) and R1 500 (fourth). From fifth to eighth position, the teams were supposed to get R1 000 each.

The league started to experience problems even before the final matches could be played. No money was paid into the account of the Makhado Local Football Association, which caused an uncomfortable situation. Some of the team captains phoned the league administrator, Mr Simon Mashele, to voice their concerns. “We spend a lot of money to prepare for matches and need to be rewarded,” one said.

Limpopo Mirror received an invitation in August last year to cover the finals that were scheduled to be played at Bungeni. When we arrived at the grounds, there were no teams. Phone calls to league officials drew a blank response and questions were referred to Mr Mdaka. He then said the finals had been postponed to 27 September.

The president of the Makhado Local Football Association, Mr Takalani Maphaha, said that the association had no official knowledge of the tournament. He said if someone wanted to sponsor a tournament, he or she should come to the office and be issued with a license. The sponsor must also deposit the money in the league’s account.

When approached for comment, Falaza Mdaka confirmed that he was sponsoring the tournament to the tune of R20 000. He attributed the unhappiness to misunderstandings and said the teams had played their matches, but when it came to the final, a date could not be fixed. “They wanted me to be present when they were playing, but I’m a busy man. I told them to play until we saw the top team and the second one, so that I could be present during the finals. I bought trophies to the amount of R7 000 cash, but they failed to play the finals in September and also in December last year,” he said.

“I was ready to deposit the remaining R13 000 into the Makhado Football Association’s account, but later I wanted to know who would be in charge of the finances. I didn’t get a clear answer and things got stuck in the mud. I love football and I have already produced two players who are now playing in the Banyana Banyana team,” Mdaka said.

According to Mdaka, he is still willing to hand over the prizes, but this might have to wait for a while. He said he had currently committed himself to assisting pupils from poor backgrounds to further their studies. He said the money would be available in June during Youth Month.

The league administrator, Mr Simon Mashele, was not available for comment.

Previous article relating to Chief Whip: http://limpopomirror.co.za/articles/sport/30704/2015-05-07/successful-sports-day-at-wayeni-village

Makhado LFA president, Joseph Maphaha, says the league knows nothing about the tournament.

Makhado LFA administrator, Simon Mashele.

 

Date:05 February 2016

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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