KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Senzo Mchunu has announced that the KZN International Training Centre and Football Academy will be named after the late Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates Captain Senzo Meyiwa. He was speaking today during the funeral service of this prolific goalkeeper at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“A champion for professionalism on the soccer field, Senzo’s influence should be preserved for future generations.”
“Members of the media will recall that on the 13th November 2013, myself and members of the executive council met with SAFA President Dr Danny Jordan during the sitting of the executive council. After the sitting we authorized the contribution of R10 million on an annual basis for a period of three years towards the construction and management of this academy.
“To rename this academy after Senzo will be a fitting tribute to him because he dedicated his entire life towards soccer. KwaZulu-Natal government is currently searching for the world’s best practices in improving the quality of soccer in this province.”
“It is for this reason that we teamed up with eThekwini Municipality, the South African Football Association and international partners to develop a state-of-the-art and High Performance facility and Football Academy to be located few kilometers away from here.”
“We want to unleash a new generation of soccer stars starting with our own KZN Academy X1 Team that participated in the inaugural Durban U19 International Football Tournament which took place in August this year.”
“We were excited as this province to host six top international football clubs from well-known football countries such as Italy, Portugal, England, Netherlands, Argentina and Brazil. This tournament provided a great platform for our young stars to compete at a high level.”
“Importantly, we undertake to use this Academy nurture leaders of tomorrow and ensure that many of our young stars become self-sufficient.”
“Taking the youth out of poverty is the lasting monument that will make Senzo Meyiwa rest in eternal peace. We want to make a firm commitment as the KZN government that we will use soccer as an instrument to build a sound economy that creates jobs and taking our youth out of poverty. That is the best we can do to honour this great young man,” the Premier concluded.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
