We are writing to inform you about the collaborative effort between the University of South Africa (Unisa) and South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA); and to request your endorsement and support. We are also ready to discuss this collaboration with you.
Unisa and SAMLFA have agreed to explore various means to collaborate for the support and benefit of past soccer players, our legends and assistance of the young women and men in soccer. In February 2017, Unisa and SAMLFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Contract) to start the process of possible cooperation in capacity building and upskilling of the soccer legends and registered players, as possible. This with the intention to capacitate and empower the legends and players and to contribute towards economic emancipation and nation building.
Shortly thereafter, during an engagement between UNISA and women soccer players and legends, arranged by SAMFLA, the legends expressed an urgent need for assistance in capacity building and skills development. The women indicated that many women in soccer are so disadvantaged that their future is just bleak; they lack skills, some are uneducated, and some vulnerable to many kinds of challenges and that there are many young women and men in similar situations. We all know that football has a very short life span therefore, players should be able to survive economically and otherwise, long after the ‘the beautiful game’ is over.
Since then, working with SAMFLA, UNISA has sort and received approval from the Unisa Ethics Committee to conduct necessary research and devise appropriate programmes and offerings to address any identified gaps in skills, training and development of the men and women in soccer. The agreement seeks to work with legends in various parts of the country and to consider ways of advancing this cooperation including the following:
- Design relevant short courses relevant to the needs of legends and players
- Facilitate the provision of selected formal programmes;
- Joint coordination of workshops, conferences and campaigns to create awareness and in support of the plight of the soccer legends and soccer players, in particular women in soccer;
- Devise specific programmes to support the educational and life skills of soccer players during and after their careers have ceased, targeting all legends;
- Devise capacity building programmes to support women in soccer; and
- Devise specific programmes and other means to assist registered players balance their educational and career programmes;
UNISA and SAMFLA are very keen to support the women and men in soccer but also believe we could do even more if we join hands with other stakeholders in the private and public sector. It has been a longish process but SAMFLA and Unisa are now ready to launch the project. We are considering the date of 14 October 2019 for the launch of this project.
We thus, appeal for your endorsement and contribution in the implementation of the project including financial support.