Ledwaba displeased with Gallants’ move to other provinces

Gallants have taken some of their DStv Premiership, Nedbank Cup, and Caf Confederation Cup matches to the Free State Stadium in Mangaung, Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg, and Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. 

Last week, Gallants lost 3-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premiership at Free Stadium, before a goalless draw with TS Galaxy a week later at the same venue. 

Speaking to SABC Sport, the former South African Football Association (Safa) vice-president, urged the province to prevent such things from happening in the future.

“I am not happy. I am upset as an administrator and a former football owner in Limpopo," said Ledwaba.

"This is what we have been discussing in the Limpopo Sports Confederation. We cannot allow a team in Limpopo to play in another province.

We need to encourage our first-division and ABC Motsepe League teams to play locally. We have a team that qualifies for the national playoffs every year in the ABC Motsepe League. And what we must do as a province is to support the clubs like we did when Ria Stars played in the PSL,” said Ledwaba.

She told the public broadcaster the Limpopo Sports Confederation would engage the government to discuss the issues of Gallants and other clubs to see how best they can help them to remain in the province. 

“It is not good for the province, and there is something that our government is not doing to keep them in the province. We (Limpopo Sports Confederation) will engage the government about the matter and we take it seriously. We cannot fold over our arms and look the other way. It affects the people of Limpopo. 

We have stadiums here and need to watch the big matches at home. You have to encourage and support them. They go to other provinces because they get support. Limpopo province needs to stand up and support the local clubs”.

Ledwaba is the coordinator of women in sports in the Limpopo Sports Confederation. 

Ledwaba owned Ria Stars Football Stars, and in 2002, the club was bought out by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for R8 million to reduce the teams from 18 to 16.

She lost the Safa presidential elections to Dr Danny Jordan last year but claimed she was not lost to the sport.

“No, in football, you are never lost. You will always come back, and we have seen a lot of people coming back, and I still have a lot to offer in football. I have offered and still have more to offer, so watch the space,” added Ledwaba.