Limpopo Tourism Agency renews R1m support for Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United

Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United will each receive R1 million from the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) as part of renewed support for the province’s Betway Premiership clubs.

The LTA has funded the teams for several seasons and has continued the initiative during the current campaign. Both clubs have finished in the top eight in each of the past three seasons, although neither has enjoyed the same success in cup competitions.

Polokwane City are currently 10th in the Betway Premiership table, with six points from five matches. Sekhukhune United occupy sixth position on seven points after the same number of games.

LTA chief executive Moses Ngobeni announced the continued backing while speaking at the launch of the eighth edition of the Sunshine Tour Limpopo Championship tournament.

He said the agency’s investment was intended to generate wider benefits for the province, including increased brand recognition and commercial activity.

“We are not giving a lot of money but we have set aside a million for each team that qualified [into the Betway Premiership],” said Ngobeni.

“So if we have got four teams in the province it means R4m. Currently we’ve got two teams because one dropped out so it’s R2m that we partner with them, just to get brand equity when they are playing.”

Ngobeni also said the clubs’ presence in the province brought benefits beyond their sporting performances.

“But for us like the Premier indicated when those teams come to the province they also make a huge contribution besides general trade.”

LTA chairperson Freddy Greaver said the organisation recognised the financial and operational pressures facing the clubs and wanted to help them retain their top-flight status.

Greaver said the agency’s ambitions extended beyond supporting Polokwane City, known as Rise and Shine, and Sekhukhune United, known as Babina Noko. It also wants to see more Limpopo clubs promoted to the top division.

“In terms of the PSL teams as the CEO said we understand our contribution is minimal,” added Greaver.

“Firstly those teams are professional businesses and as business we understand that they have to find a way to survive and retain their status. But as a province and as a provincial government and entity in the province, we do understand the plight and the challenges that they face.

“And we want to be there to support and that’s why we have a minimal contribution that we always try to make.

“I believe KZN has five teams now. So with the two teams we feel a bit light and a bit weak and we can’t afford to lose any of those two teams out of the PSL.

“What we now need to do is see how we can get a third team and possibly a fourth team as it was at some point into the PLS. So we are very committed to that and we will do our outmost to support them because they are important for us.”