South African Football Association Vice-President Ria Ledwaba is hoping that more PSL teams will come on board in the women’s national league that was officially launched on Thursday.
Only Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic will be the only two PSL teams in the 12-team league.
The long-overdue league will kick-off this weekend at the Nike Centre in Pimville, Soweto on Saturday and Sunday.
The league will also benefit the 14 neighbouring countries from the Cosafa region. Three foreign players will be allowed in each of the 12 teams according to Ledwaba.
SA only had a Sasol provincial league running for many years. It was difficult for the national team coaches to select players only from one league.
Ledwaba says the under-17, under-20 and Banyana Banyana coaches will have more pool of players to select from.
Ledwaba has emphasised that the league is not a professional league. She added that Safa is not entrusted with running professional league but their mandate is to oversee amateur football.
The league does not have a headline sponsor and the money from the legacy trust with the help of Gauteng Sports Department was used to establish the league.
Ledwaba says they need sponsorship and partnership with Spanish La Liga to sustain the league.
SAFA President Danny Jordaan was also present during the launch. He says they took at least three years to introduce the league. He has added that at least R53 million was invested during that period to start the league.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis played her football when women’s football was not taken seriously. So much strides have been made in recent years which has culminated in Banyana reaching their maiden World Cup in France recently.
SAFA have partnered with La Liga to make the league a success.
La Liga established their league four seasons ago and it has grown tremendously during that period.
Earlier in 2019, a match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid attracted a record crowd of more than 60 000 fans.
La Liga Women’s Football Director Pedro Malabia says it is a good initiative. – Report by Vincent Sitsula
