A war is on the horizon and the battlelines have been drawn!
And, it looks to be the Safa-Buffalo City region in one corner and East London Central and Mdantsane LFAs teaming up together in the opposing corner.
And the next regional election is exactly a year away.
This became evident over the weekend when Mdantsane LFA (Mdalfa) deputy president Xolani Bishoti, delivering his address as the guest speaker of the ELCLFA end-of-year awards at North End, launched a scathing attack on the regional football controlling body.
Described as “deputy president of Mdalfa – our allies” by ELCLFA executive member Burton Brown as he was introduced before taking to the podium, Bishoti immediately took shots at the regional executive, led by president, Prince Sibam.
In a veiled attack aimed at the regional leadership, Bishoti said
ELCLFA was an LFA that was progressing while “others (Safa-BC) are moving but moving backwards”.
His entire address was probably the best indication that North End-based LFA and Mdalfa will be fiercely opposing the incumbent regional leadership come election time next year.
It comes on the back of a longstanding tussle between the region and ELCLFA, which has lasted more than three years. And, in Mdalfa, East London Central have seemingly found a useful ally to add steam to their opposition of the region.
Bishoti, who is also the head of Buffalo City Sport Confederation, pulling no punches, urged ELCLFA to remain united for their strength was dependent on it.
He warned that, with elections looming, the region would resort to tactics of suspending those they deemed opposed to them, such as ELCLFA and Mdalfa.
EL Central is already under fire, with their executive having been summoned to a DC hearing recently, which they boycotted.
On the other side, according to the region, they were dissolved and amalgamated with Bunkers West LFA in June – a move subject to investigation by Safa national as to the constitutionality of it or lack thereof.
The region hit back at Bishoti, warning ELCLFA to be careful of his rhetoric, which they described as divisive and not genuine.
An executive member of the region, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, accused Bishoti of being blind, claiming the very ELCLFA he was backing was the one that opposed him when he lost to Sibam in the previous regional elections..
To this end, continued the regional executive member, the chances were high that EL Central was going to turn against the same Bishoti they currently were friends with come election time.
Regardless, Bishoti aimed his missiles in the direction of the region in his speech at the weekend and appeared aware that his comments may land him in trouble with Safa-BC.
Bishoti said: “I do not need the state to look after me, but I take calculated risks. I build and I dream.
“We need to stand bold when we know that we are doing things the correct way and I advise you to stay united.”
According to him, football at national and regional level was not in the right hands.
“If we had our football in the right hands we would not have all the difficulties we are facing.” — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
War of words erupt in Safa-BC row
And, it looks to be the Safa-Buffalo City region in one corner and East London Central and Mdantsane LFAs teaming up together in the opposing corner.
And the next regional election is exactly a year away.
This became evident over the weekend when Mdantsane LFA (Mdalfa) deputy president Xolani Bishoti, delivering his address as the guest speaker of the ELCLFA end-of-year awards at North End, launched a scathing attack on the regional football controlling body.
Described as “deputy president of Mdalfa – our allies” by ELCLFA executive member Burton Brown as he was introduced before taking to the podium, Bishoti immediately took shots at the regional executive, led by president, Prince Sibam.
In a veiled attack aimed at the regional leadership, Bishoti said
ELCLFA was an LFA that was progressing while “others (Safa-BC) are moving but moving backwards”.
His entire address was probably the best indication that North End-based LFA and Mdalfa will be fiercely opposing the incumbent regional leadership come election time next year.
It comes on the back of a longstanding tussle between the region and ELCLFA, which has lasted more than three years. And, in Mdalfa, East London Central have seemingly found a useful ally to add steam to their opposition of the region.
Bishoti, who is also the head of Buffalo City Sport Confederation, pulling no punches, urged ELCLFA to remain united for their strength was dependent on it.
He warned that, with elections looming, the region would resort to tactics of suspending those they deemed opposed to them, such as ELCLFA and Mdalfa.
EL Central is already under fire, with their executive having been summoned to a DC hearing recently, which they boycotted.
On the other side, according to the region, they were dissolved and amalgamated with Bunkers West LFA in June – a move subject to investigation by Safa national as to the constitutionality of it or lack thereof.
The region hit back at Bishoti, warning ELCLFA to be careful of his rhetoric, which they described as divisive and not genuine.
An executive member of the region, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, accused Bishoti of being blind, claiming the very ELCLFA he was backing was the one that opposed him when he lost to Sibam in the previous regional elections..
To this end, continued the regional executive member, the chances were high that EL Central was going to turn against the same Bishoti they currently were friends with come election time.
Regardless, Bishoti aimed his missiles in the direction of the region in his speech at the weekend and appeared aware that his comments may land him in trouble with Safa-BC.
Bishoti said: “I do not need the state to look after me, but I take calculated risks. I build and I dream.
“We need to stand bold when we know that we are doing things the correct way and I advise you to stay united.”
According to him, football at national and regional level was not in the right hands.
“If we had our football in the right hands we would not have all the difficulties we are facing.” — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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