VETERAN football administrator, Sandile Mata, resoundingly stood unopposed and was re-elected President of SAFA Chris Hani for a second term as the South African Football Association in the Chris Hani District held their Elective Congress on Sunday afternoon at The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in Komani.
Mata was initially elected as the new president of SAFA Chris Hani in February 2018 – succeeding Mzimkhulu Ndlelo.
The mission of this congress was to elect the new SAFA Chris Hani Executive Committee and the top position of the regional President.
Mata said they want to continue promoting football in all corners of the Chris Hani region, and promote more teams to the top leagues of football in South Africa.
“We want to continue with our project to reach all corners of Chris Hani Region, getting teams to playing in organised football. We also want to produce more Referees for promotional leagues, women’s football and junior leagues,” said Mata, who is also the Head of Competition in SAFA Eastern Cape.
The Chris Hani Region, under his leadership since 2018, saw two teams promoted to the Provincial ABC Motsepe League. The teams are Amavarara, originally from Emalahleni Local Municipality, and Seven Stars, from the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality.
Mata said they also want to develop knowledgeable coaches to produce top players in the region.
I am going to organise a workshop where I am going to invite the SAFA CEO, the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Sports Council to talk about SAFA statutes, rules and regulations, because I believe that will take the SAFA CHRIS HANI REGION to greater heights and not forget to facilitate schools to be more involved in more organised football Leagues,” concluded Mata.
Mata will be having the same three Deputy Presidents in Valerie Adolph, Mpiyakhe Xhalabile and Mzwamadoda Vonya.
The congress was also graced by the SAFA CEO, Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, who praised the work that has been done in the region in promoting football.
