TEAMS EMBRACE PLS’ VISION 2022

MBABANE – Premier League clubs have hailed the PLS’ Vision 2022 aimed at turning the elite league into a fully professional entity.

At a launch held at La Casserole Restaurant yesterday morning, Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Chairman Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze unveiled the concept that will, among other things, see the league raking in E7 million in league sponsorship in the 2015/16 season.

From the amount, E5 million will be shared by the 12 elite league clubs with the remaining E2 million spared for the league’s challenges. On top of that, the league will be selling replica jerseys for all the 12 teams which will be supplied by one technical sponsor, with the proceeds from the sales shared among the teams according to their pulling power.

The replica jerseys will be used as entry fee to all league games, hence supporters will be made to buy them at E450 each.
Club representatives, who attended the event, gave the project a thumps up. Young Buffaloes Board member Kenneth Dlamini said the army side has fully embraced the new dispensation in football which they viewed as good for the clubs’ aspirations.

“It is a good idea that we are already buying into as a team. It was hinted to us before and we  are already embracing it in full as a team,” Dlamini said. Moneni Pirates PRO Sifiso Masuku said the idea would help teams financially and that it will ease the burden from the directors.

“Anything that will see teams get grants from the PLS should be embraced. This idea is good in that respect because most teams are struggling financially. Pirates have many supporters who we are hopeful will seize the opportunity and show their buying power when it comes to the replica jerseys,” Masuku said.

Royal Leopard Manager Mcolisi Dlamini also spoke well of the concept, even though he wanted clarity on how the PLS would be able to determine the pulling power of teams in as far as getting their share from the sale of the replica jerseys.

“We thank the PLS for the initiative and the benefits are there for all to see. We believe as a team that we have to support the idea which is aimed at making teams function. The concept has the potential of empowering clubs,” he said.

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