Dec 17, 2008

Sport - Football;SA football revels in new riches

Alex Capstick
BBC News, Johannesburg


The gleaming new stadium in Soweto is a stunning symbol of the transformation that is taking place in club football in South Africa.
The rickety open stands, the uneven playing surface and the sub-standard facilities for players and fans have been replaced by a state-of-the-art venue.

At the official opening the place was packed with 35,000 people of all ages, sexes and sizes, dressed in the black and white colours of their adored team, the Orlando Pirates.


Each and every one seemed to be blowing a long plastic brightly coloured instrument known as a vuvuzela.

The sound has been described as like a swarm of angry bees.

It was unrelenting and helped to create a terrific atmosphere in a magnificent stadium which caters for the modern, sophisticated fan.

It is the first of its kind in a South African township, but more will follow.

Almost overnight Premier League Soccer, or PSL as it is known, has become wealthy.


A television contract worth in the region of $27m (£18m) a year for the next five seasons has been secured.

Clubs have attracted lucrative sponsorship deals. Players too are reaping the benefits.

The average wage has risen from $400 (£268) to $1,600 (£1,070) a month. A top player can earn as much as $20,000 (£13,380) a month.

The change has been staggering.

Not long ago South Africa's professional league was ranked 50th in the world in terms of revenue streams.

According to PSL's chairman Irvin Khoza it is now the seventh richest.

Staying home

It has made him very proud, but he wants it to be a blueprint for the rest of Africa.


"It is a remarkable achievement that might act as an impetus to encourage other countries in Africa to formalise their leagues."

Mr Khoza, who is also chairman of the South African 2010 World Cup organising committee, believes he has a product capable of converting the millions of South African football fans who are obsessed with European football, especially the English Premier League.

And he hopes the money flowing into the PSL will help persuade South Africa's best players to stay.

"The income that we have generated is to make sure that we give them competitive salaries to keep them in the country."

It is a bold vision but one that does not convince everyone, even those who are closely connected with PSL.


Ted Dimitru, a former coach of South Africa's national team, is now in charge of youth development at one of the wealthiest clubs in PSL, Mamelodi Sundowns.

He is worried PSL clubs will spend their new-found wealth in the search for a quick fix, and not for long term sustainability.

"The reality is that too many clubs are not investing in youth but are buying expensive overseas players. Economically we are are ahead, technically we are behind," he says.

Warning

Mr Dimitru is an advocate of the academy system and is concerned that clubs will bring in mediocre players, at the expense of nurturing local talent, a scenario that will not help improve the quality of the national team - the 2010 World Cup hosts are in a run of terrible form.


He had this stark warning: "If we fail to ensure a proportion of the money from the next TV deal is invested in youth we will see empty stadia."

But these are heady times for youngsters who dream of one day making a living out of football in South Africa.

Sixteen-year-old Lorenzo was an excited onlooker at the grand opening of Soweto's new stadium.

He plays for the junior team at the Orlando Pirates. He is impressed with the flashy, brash image of the new look PSL, but it has not altered his ultimate ambition.

"My future plans are to see myself playing overseas. I want to play with the world's best, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi."


Lorenzo's friend Kabella sits alongside, soaking up the atmosphere.

European-based football scouts have been watching him, something he has noticed.

Soweto is a tough place to live and, given the opportunity, he too would leave.

"There are a lot of people out there who are suffering. They don't have food as we are speaking right now," he says.

"I don't want to see myself in that situation. That's why I am willing to play overseas."

The boys' attention then quickly turns to events on the pitch.

They witnessed Orlando Pirates baptise their new stadium with a rapturously-received victory.

It was intoxicating, although it seems not enough to distract the next generation of South Africa footballers from pursuing a move abroad.

202 comments:

1 – 200 of 202   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

order tramadol overnight buy tramadol cod free - buy tramadol online fedex delivery

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol withdrawal panic attacks - tramadol quick release

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol high mg - buy tramadol usa online

Anonymous said...

tramadol online overdose from tramadol - tramadol hcl 50 mg nausea

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol dosage use dogs - tramadol online shipped to florida

Anonymous said...

ativan online ativan side effects from long term use - ativan withdrawal and night sweats

Anonymous said...

tramadol buy tramadol hcl warnings - buy 200 mg tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight delivery tramadol high dosage - buy tramadol online in australia

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol online best place to buy tramadol online reviews - tramadol many get high

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin buy klonopin online canada - can overdose klonopin

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol dosage for premature ejaculation - tramadol 50mg equal

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin recreational drug use - klonopin withdrawal eyes

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol order tramadol online overnight delivery - buy tramadol in uk

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam online klonopin generic side effects - klonopin making anxiety worse

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol no prescription tramadol 50mg for my dog - where should i buy tramadol from online

Anonymous said...

buy ambien generic version of ambien cr - ambien cr dosage administration

Anonymous said...

buy ativan online cheapest lorazepam online - ativan make you high

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien quality of sleep - buy ambien zolpidem

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol keeps me awake - tramadol (ultram) shelf life

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online no prescription generic klonopin pics - klonopin safe dosage

Anonymous said...

ambien order ambien cost walmart - erowid ambien drug test

Anonymous said...

generic ambien ambience mall gurgaon stores - ambien online forum

Anonymous said...

ambien on line new age ambien music online - ambien overdose dose

Anonymous said...

buy generic soma soma tacoma - soma 0870

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without rx tramadol dosage dogs 50mg - buy tramadol online cod only

Anonymous said...

buy discount tramadol tramadol qatar - tramadol online with cod

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien side effects elderly - ambien generic at walmart

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien cheap usa - took 8 ambien

Anonymous said...

online soma soma pills sleep - soma discount code 2011

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol online next day - трамадол купить

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without a script order tramadol cod overnight delivery - buy tramadol in florida

Anonymous said...

ambien on line ambien 5 10mg - ambien side effects next day nausea

Anonymous said...

ambien 5 drug interactions of ambien - generic ambien india

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol 200mg online - best website buy tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight cod tramadol abuse - tramadol dosage veterinary

Anonymous said...

buy generic soma soma drug movie - soma drug book

Anonymous said...

tramadol generic soma tramadol high - buy tramadol online in usa

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online zolpidem ambien withdrawal - ambien dosage sleep

Anonymous said...

generic klonopin online klonopin recreational use bluelight - klonopin wafers online

Anonymous said...

soma online soma access systems - soma online booking

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg for pets - tramadol 50mg opiate

Anonymous said...

viagra online purchase best rated online pharmacy viagra - generic viagra kamagra tablets

Anonymous said...

viagra drug cheap viagra sydney - viagra for women available in india

Anonymous said...

order klonopin online klonopin withdrawal webmd - ativan vs klonopin for anxiety

Anonymous said...

zolpidem 10 mg how to buy ambien no prescription - ambien cr rem sleep

Anonymous said...

generic tramadol online tramadol online cod payment - can you buy tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online where to buy generic viagra - viagra effects on men

Anonymous said...

viagra online safest place buy viagra online - buy now viagra 8080

Anonymous said...

buy viagra cheap online generic viagra safety - viagra buy spain

Anonymous said...

order zolpidem ambien and alcohol recreational - ambien online no prescription canada

Anonymous said...

klonopin online pharmacy klonopin side effects chest pain - klonopin xanax erowid

Anonymous said...

can you buy tramadol online tramadol online next day delivery - how to order tramadol

Anonymous said...

ambien online pharmacy purchase ambien - what do ambien pill look like

Anonymous said...

generic zolpidem ambien side effects women - ambien cr canada pharmacy

Anonymous said...

order viagra for women how to buy viagra in usa - cheap legal viagra

Anonymous said...

generic ambien ambien cr 12.5 mg price - ambien discount programs

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online without prescription buy tramadol without rx - tramadol 93 58 oval

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien side effects eating - ambien cr rebound insomnia

Anonymous said...

buy sildenafil buy real viagra online canada - viagra dosage headache

Anonymous said...

buy viagra cheap viagra no prescription - viagra 70

Anonymous said...

buy viagra buy viagra online women - buy generic viagra usa

Anonymous said...

soma carisoprodol coupons for soma bras - where to buy soma intimates

Anonymous said...

generic ambien took 8 ambien - ambien generic images

Anonymous said...

soma online buy soma cod overnight - soma drug schedule florida

Anonymous said...

how to order viagra online safely buy viagra online scams - viagra for women forum

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online next day delivery buy viagra online overnight delivery - generic viagra dapoxetine

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online pharmacy cheap viagra no prescription needed - generic viagra evaluation

Anonymous said...

buy soma online no prescription buy soma legally - soma cube online game

Anonymous said...

tadalafil tablets where to order cialis europe - order cialis in canada

Anonymous said...

is it safe to order viagra online viagra online pharmacy - viagra online without prescriptions

Anonymous said...

generic soma online 350 mg soma lot - assistir online soma todos medos

Anonymous said...

tramadol buy can buy tramadol online legally - best way buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online viagra dosage altitude sickness - viagra online dk

Anonymous said...

cialis online no prescription overnight order cialis in uk - cialis daily 2.5

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight delivery buy tramadol cod personal check - tramadol not addictive

Anonymous said...

buy viagra in chicago generic viagra pictures - purchase generic viagra mastercard

Anonymous said...

buy viagra locally does viagra work for diabetics - can buy viagra canada

Anonymous said...

where to buy tramadol buy tramadol online fedex delivery - tramadol ultram seizures

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription buy tramadol 200mg online - is buying tramadol online illegal

Anonymous said...

viagra sale generic viagra cialis - buy viagra online using paypal

Anonymous said...

buy finasteride propecia no side effects - results with propecia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg online tramadol for dogs vs rimadyl - tramadol ultram 50mg

Anonymous said...

buy viagra galaxy 959 viagra board - how to buy viagra in australia

Anonymous said...

buy cialis usa cialis отзывы - where to purchase daily cialis

Anonymous said...

cheap generic propecia can you buy propecia online - propecia cost au

Anonymous said...

buy viagra cheap buy generic viagra uk - buy quality viagra online

Anonymous said...

tramadol buy buy tramadol - can you buy tramadol over the counter usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol overnight shipping buy tramadol online legit - tramadol withdrawal kratom

Anonymous said...

viagra online generic viagra pics - viagra for women study

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50mg for dogs - tramadol 50 mg abuse

Anonymous said...

buy strattera online dosage strattera should take - buy strattera no prescription

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online cod tramadol hcl online - order tramadol online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy viagra las vegas purchase viagra in london - viagra 75 mg

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin a gel price - retin a for pitted acne scars

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol zolpidem interaction - tramadol hcl addiction

Anonymous said...

buy viagra viagra online tesco - men's health generic viagra

Anonymous said...

buy retin a cream retin a cream for cystic acne - retin a cream tube size

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg where to buy tramadol - 50mg tramadol lot

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol cod fedex - tramadol dosage 500mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cheap where to buy tramadol online usa - buy tramadol over the counter

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol order tramadol in florida - tramadol 821

Anonymous said...

buy cheap propecia how to buy propecia in canada - cheap propecia online uk

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol hcl online - buy tramadol online legit

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin a cream warts - buy retin a no prescription online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 50mg what is it for - tramadol dosage amounts

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online propecia side effects heart - buy generic propecia uk

Anonymous said...

retin a cream buy retin 0.1 usa - buy retinol cream

Anonymous said...

finasteride medication propecia user reviews - where to buy propecia in ireland

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol india cheap tramadol with cod - tramadol drug

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol illegal to buy tramadol online - cheap tramadol pharmacy

Anonymous said...

propecia for sale propecia bodybuilding - generic propecia is it legit

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg buy tramadol no prescription overnight - best site order tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol medication buy tramadol online dogs - can you buy tramadol online no prescription

Anonymous said...

order tramadol tramadol 50mg how many - tramadol toothache

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg buy tramadol online next day delivery - tramadol use in dogs

Anonymous said...

generic viagra generic viagra vs brand name - order viagra online in australia

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription buy viagra tramadol - tramadol dosage vicodin

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy jelly viagra online - viagra online from us

Anonymous said...

order tramadol tramadol 50mg what are they for - buy tramadol no prescription online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 50 mg equivalent - tramadol online doktor

Anonymous said...

viagra cost buy-viagra-online-50mg - viagra online reliable

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online buy tramadol online echeck - buy ultram generic

Anonymous said...

generic cialis online cialis online sydney - buy cialis cheap generic

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra viagra online safe - viagra for women to buy

Anonymous said...

generic viagra order viagra online illegal - viagra online free shipping

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg buy tramadol with cod delivery - buy tramadol online with mastercard

Anonymous said...

generic viagra how to order viagra from us - drug like viagra for women

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy viagra australia online no prescription - generic viagra online us pharmacy

Anonymous said...

generic viagra viagra for women fda approval - viagra no prescription needed

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol personal check - tramadol without prescription

Anonymous said...

generic cialis generic cialis united states - buy cialis 2.5

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy viagra us at shoppers drug mart - can i buy viagra in us over the counter

Anonymous said...

generic cialis no prescription how to order cialis online - cheap genuine cialis

Anonymous said...

tadalafil tablets cialis recommended daily dose - cialis low blood pressure

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra viagra zonder recept - purchase viagra online in us

Anonymous said...

order cialis no prescription cialis online usa pharmacy - generic cialis united pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online buy real viagra online us - cheap viagra online fast shipping

Anonymous said...

viagra 100mg cheap viagra cialis us - cheap viagra women

Anonymous said...

generic viagra viagra for women cnn - buy viagra us online

Anonymous said...

generic cialis buy cialis online free shipping - cialis daily insurance coverage

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy viagra online laser card - buy viagra online to us

Anonymous said...

cialis for sale cialis online paypal payment - cialis kaufen

Anonymous said...

buy cialis reviews viagra vs cialis vs levitra - is generic cialis available in the united states

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online overdose of tramadol hydrochloride - tramadol hcl 37.5-3 tab myla

Anonymous said...

tramadol generic purchase tramadol online cheap - tramadol hcl shelf life

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma 350 mg erowid - soma radio

Anonymous said...

soma drug generic soma dosage - buy soma watson brand com

Anonymous said...

viagra online online apotheke viagra 100mg - viagra buy chennai

Anonymous said...

soma generic soma 107 - soma 80s

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma hora extra online - much do soma cost street

Anonymous said...

buy soma hub soma 901 mission - buy cheap soma online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy cialis buy cialis in us - cialis long term effects

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma san diego concerts - soma bras austin tx

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma muscle relaxer while pregnant - buy soma online from usa

Anonymous said...

soma online soma drug test facts - soma medication buy online

Anonymous said...

soma online safe place buy soma online - soma online next day

Anonymous said...

online soma purchase somatropin online - cheap haircut soma

Anonymous said...

buy soma online generic name for soma - buy somatropin online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy soma watson soma online - soma online fedex

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma bras san francisco - discount code soma intimates

Anonymous said...

soma no prescription soma 456 - buy soma online from usa

Anonymous said...

soma online generic brand of soma - generic soma drug

Anonymous said...

buy retin a buy retin a tretinoin - retin a micro acne

Anonymous said...

cialis 20mg cialis low dose - buy cialis online legal

Anonymous said...

purchase soma do soma pills expire - soma health club

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online where to buy cialis online - can you buy cialis over the counter in us

Anonymous said...

buy retin a retin a online no prescription - retin a gel for anti aging

Anonymous said...

order tramadol overnight buy online texas tramadol - buy tramadol online europe

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol hcl order tramadol without - ultram online no prescription

Anonymous said...

retin a order online retin a cream uses - retin-a cream cheapest

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol online ireland - buy tramadol hcl online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cod next day delivery tramadol hcl 50 mg and tylenol - tramadol medication purchase

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol online - best high tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol online purchase tramadol cod - tramadol online tennessee

Anonymous said...

buy retin a buy retin face cream - retin a gel or cream better

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol online 50mg tramadol high dose - kids getting high tramadol

Anonymous said...

retin a creme retin a micro made acne worse - retin a cream vs renova

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tablets buy cheap tramadol no prescription - tramadol 450 mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg online tramadol hcl online - online apotheke holland tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod overnight cheap tramadol online no prescription - where can i buy tramadol usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol mastercard tramadol hcl 50mg reviews - high on tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 100mg online overnight - tramadol 20mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cash on delivery tramadol kidney disease - order tramadol online overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online no prescription overnight 3 1mg xanax - 6mg xanax high

Anonymous said...

xanax alprazolam 2mg klonopin 2mg xanax - xanax drug information

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol fass 100mg - tramadol online in usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol mechanism of action - buy tramadol online no prescription usa

Anonymous said...

xanax for sale does xanax show up in hair drug test - is generic xanax the same

Anonymous said...

generic xanax xanax half life - will i fail drug test on xanax

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol hcl long term effects - tramadol ultram

Anonymous said...

tramadol online dosage of tramadol for humans - tramadol normal dose

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol 350 mg carisoprodol dosage back pain - buy carisoprodol online no prescription

Anonymous said...

tramadol without prescription cheap generic tramadol - tramadol apap 37.5mg dosage

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol carisoprodol on drug test - carisoprodol blood pressure

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol with echeck - tramadol reactions

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol soma carisoprodol controlled substance - carisoprodol 350 mg ibuprofen

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis online miglior sito - can you buy cialis over the counter in australia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol is tramadol hcl 50 mg an opiate - tramadol hcl long term use

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#buy klonopin dosage during pregnancy - generic klonopin wafers

Anonymous said...

klonopin no prescription klonopin for airplane anxiety - klonopin withdrawal success stories

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 202   Newer› Newest»