SABC Sport and PSL join Carling in amplifying the message against GBV

The campaign has two components: the Champions for Change player programme and Injury Time Activation.

Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana free-scoring striker Tshegofatso Mabasa says the PSL is showing that they care about the mental well-being of players as this campaign also addresses the cognitive issues they encounter

"I think it's a great initiative, the PSL together with Carling Black Label, especially for the upcoming generation of football players in the country and even the current crop as well, for them to be able to be strong mentally, this is a great initiative and a great programme by the PSL,” Mabasa said.

“They are showing us that they do care about our mental state as players because, at the end of the day, it's difficult to perform if you're not okay mentally and emotionally as well, especially with the social pressures that we face as athletes."

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Through the Injury Time Action, every PSL game will be an opportunity to remind fans and players that GBV is not an occasional conversation.

According to PSL General Manager Andile “Ace” Ncobo, this is where the game of football has to show its power.

"The PSL is very conscious of the power that it carries to create conversations, conversations which induce emotions and some of those emotions are not necessarily emotions of joy,” Ncobo said.

“Sometimes there's anger, there's anguish that comes from losing a football match as a football fan and even as a player for that matter. So, we carry a very powerful product that induces emotions, and creates the national mood.

“So, we're very conscious of that power and that's why we've come up with this programme that in recognition of the social influence that players have on society at large, let's utilise that power positively in a programme that seeks to eradicate Gender Based Violence."