Talks of professionalising women's football interest MTN

This follows a breakfast celebration with Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa of Banyana Banyana and Netball Proteas at the recent World Cups.  

"For us was really to come and listen and to see where the foundation is in terms of what the thinking is from a ministerial perspective, as well as the associations that are present”, said MTN’s Senior Manager for Sponsorship and Events Bongani Ntshingila. 

“The minister has said there have been conversations that have been happening and has requested a meeting with us. Certainly, we will partake in the discussions and, as a business, we need to go back and look at how big our involvement can be in growing women's football and in professionalising women's sport," he continued. 

The mobile giant is no stranger to football, having sponsored the Premier Soccer League (PSL)'s top eight tournaments for over 15 years. Ntshingila believes that many discussions must take place regarding the professionalisation of women's football.

"There's a lot of conversations that have to happen, both on the sponsorship perspective or the administrative perspective in terms of the running thereof, once we get a point where women's sport becomes professional.” 

As one of the leading cellphone companies not only in South Africa but across the continent, Ntshingila understands the significance of entering women's football at a time when African teams such as Banyana and the Nigerian Super Falcons are doing well - as evidenced by the results of the recent Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when they both exited the group stages. 

"It'll be built off a foundation. We just need to have a broader understanding of what is the foundation at the moment, and what is the thought process. When you talk about professionalising women's football, what is the thinking?

"Are we looking at developing similar structures that are currently run in the Premier Soccer League? Is it a SAFA [South African Football Association] led professional women's league? So, it'll all depend on the factors that are put forward for any consideration to be made."