Richards Bay boss Jomo Biyela calls for corporate to invest in PSL

Biyela recently concluded a R60-million deal with Phakwe Gas for his club – with an additional R30-million to go towards the local community – and could very well have some fresh ideas.

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He said it should be a no-brainer for corporate to invest in football.

''Well what is important, as much as some of us, we have managed to acquire some sponsorships but the fact of the matter is that most of the teams are still struggling. So I am not sure why those big companies are skeptical about financing football. To be honest, football  is the number one sport in our country. So one of the things we need to do is to  sell the sport to prospective sponsors to acknowledge the fact we need some assistance and to acknowledge that football is the number one sport. If you invest in football, you're not just assisting those teams but you're assisting youngsters from townships and rural areas to be part of football,'' said Biyela.

Biyela added that chairman Irvin Khoza’s re-election will also show “stability” for those who are interested in coming on board.

''This league is number one in Africa, and the last time I checked it was number 12 in the world. So he deserves to be here, because we need stability and we need confidence from investors. People have invested their money in terms of sponsorship, so they also want to make it a point that their money is being spent wisely. Just today we managed to get an unqualified audit which is done by  PWC Independent Auditors, so we need that kind of stability,'' added Biyela. 

Like all the new members in the Exco, Biyela too was asked for his thoughts about a succession plan.

''We need institutional memory, because you can't just come here and do as you please. We people like the Iron Duke so that you can learn from them, not just me but all the members. In terms of what you are speaking about the succession plan, I think he will be very pleased to talk about that. I have just arrived,'' he expressed.

Biyela made it clear that over the next four years serving alongside Khoza and acting CEO Mato Madlala, he wanted to soak up as much experience as possible from the veteran administrators.