Financial boost for Sol Plaatje Masters Football League

The Sol Plaatje Masters Football League has received a massive financial boost with the announcement of a new sponsor, marking the league’s first sponsorship in six years.

The sponsor, who chose to remain anonymous, pledged R130,000 to the league for the coming year. Of this, R100,000 will go towards running the league, while R30,000 has been allocated specifically for a pre-season tournament between January and March. The sponsor’s only condition is that after Sunday’s football matches, players must gather at his establishment to enjoy a few drinks and support his business, a deal he believes benefits both parties.

The league, which consists of 41 teams and between 1,100 and 1,300 members, provides a strong platform for the partnership. The sponsorship will initially run from September 1 this year until September 1 next year, after which the contract will be reviewed. Depending on the results, the sponsor may either end the deal or continue with the same amount or even increase the sponsorship.

Speaking to the DFA during the official launch of the partnership, Sol Plaatje Masters Football League Chairperson Seabata Makhele expressed gratitude for the investment.

“The Sol Plaatje Masters Football League appreciates the partnership and sponsorship, which will financially and administratively assist and enhance the brand and image of the league. The financial benefits will be distributed equally among all member clubs to assist them with administration costs,” said Makhele.

He added that the deal opens the door for long-term opportunities. “The sponsorship also creates an opportunity for striking a long-term partnership of probably three years and adding prospective business entities to the partnership.”

Makhele further stated that the league is committed to supporting the sponsor to ensure the partnership is fruitful. If the results are satisfactory at the end of the current contract in 2026, there is already a principal agreement in place to double the sponsorship value for the following year.

With this substantial financial injection, the future looks bright for the Masters League, provided the funds are managed properly.