Issues at Stake: Thanda’s final plea must be heeded

THE very thought of Thanda Royal Zulu Football Club having to relocate owing to lack of financial backing, is mind-blowing.

Not only has the club proudly flown the flag for the City of uMhlathuze and the uThungulu District Municipality, it has achieved successes on the field that belie its relatively lowly status as a soccer force.

For the past three seasons, the Amabhubesi have been on the brink of attaining promotion to the highest level of professional football in the country: the Premier Soccer League.

With the odds (one might say ‘loaded dice’) against them, they have missed it by the narrowest of margins – even last season, when they ended up playing three fewer league matches than the eventual winners.

On each occasion of failing to make the PSL, Thanda was raided of players by the top clubs and virtually started again from scratch.

Who knew that the greater Zululand region boasted so much footballing talent?

Home-grown boys are now parading their skills in the top echelon after passing through the tough Thanda coaching and mentoring regime.

Just last weekend, former Thanda goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo was named in the Bafana Bafana international squad.

The point is, our region is one of immense talent that must be discovered and nurtured to its full potential.

Who is going to do that, if not Thanda FC?

Domestic tourism

But it’s not only about the football.

PSL soccer is big, big business!

Assuming Thanda does gain promotion at the end of this season, the floodgates will be opened for what is referred to as ‘domestic tourism’.

When Thanda played their Nedbank Cup knock-out match against the mighty Orlando Pirates earlier this year, football fans descended on the City in their droves.

Not only was the uMhlathuze Stadium’s limited seating capacity filled to overflowing, but so too were the City’s hotels and B&Bs.

There was hardly an air flight available to Richards Bay, or a car left for rental, while restaurants did brisk business as though it was the peak summer holiday season.

That could become an almost weekly reality for the city as the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Sundowns, SuperSport, Pirates, Swallows and the other big names arrive – with their hordes of supporters – for Thanda home matches.

Financial support

For that to happen, Thanda needs prompt financial assistance.

This newspaper carried an article on Monday on the perilous state of the club’s finances: they literally have just days in survival mode before being forced to sell up and relocate.

If that becomes a reality, the likelihood of ever having a top division side in the City is minute.

We cannot allow this to happen! It would be committing financial and sporting suicide.

We call on the local and district councils to allocate funds immediately to this cause, while corporates and large businesses can also ‘come to the party’.

The return on this investment (about R2.5m collectively) would be massive, with sponsors’ branding being showcased on DSTV week after week.

On behalf of the club and its fans, please heed this plea!