To ensure the future prosperity of the country’s football development, PPC Ltd in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) Development Agency, officially launched a Soccer Talent Development Programme in Port Elizabeth. The investment by PPC will be used to help identify and develop young local talent in the Eastern Cape.
“PPC prides itself on offering services that stretches far beyond the purchase of a bag of cement. We remain passionate about investing in meaningful initiatives and we are proud to partner with SAFA Development Agency and invest in a soccer talent development programme, especially in the Eastern Cape, where PPC has remained the only cement manufacturer since 1929,” said Richard Tomes, PPC’s Joint MD of SA Cement.
The development agency is tasked with implementing SAFA’s technical master plan to uplift South Africa’s national football teams, build a talent identification and development pipeline with the 57 Local Football Associations in the province and train coaches. This programme will also upgrade the footballing infrastructure and administration in the province and introduce technology research at all levels to help with developing talent.
Dr Robin Petersen, CEO of the SAFA Development Agency stated, “We are excited about PPC’s commitment to invest in this nation-changing project. While this is about football development, it also impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands young people.”
This development programme’s goal is for South Africa to be rated in the top three football teams on the African continent and in the top 20 in the world by 2022.
“PPC has long been involved in the South African sports fraternity. We have been a long-time sponsor of many events country-wide. As an organisation, we remain passionate about investing in meaningful initiatives and projects that advance our country’s excellence and demonstrate our commitment to local communities,” concluded Tomes.
The President of SAFA, Dr Danny Jordaan, also expressed his gratitude to PPC. “Coming from the Eastern Cape, it gives me particular delight to see this investment in football development being focused in this Province. We look forward to other companies joining in our programme of changing football, changing the nation through football development,” he said.
Image: Left –Right Left –Right Mr Fina (SAFA National Executive Committee), Richard Tomes (Joint MD, SA Cement), Xoliswa Tom (MEC for sports, recreation, arts & Culture) and Dr Robin Petersen (CEO of the SAFA Development Agency)
More information from Nomzamo Khanyile, Tel: +27 (0)11 386 9309 / nomzamo.khanyile@ppc.co.za
