Sasol’s decision to withdraw as a sponsor of the South African Football Association (Safa),
particularly regarding women’s football, must not be taken lightly, as this could herald the onset of significant challenges for female athletes who view football as a viable career path.
This sentiment was expressed by Fran Hilton-Smith, the former assistant technical director of Safa, who has finally broken her silence amidst the ongoing turmoil surrounding women’s football.
Not only has Hilton-Smith made substantial contributions to the evolution of professional women’s football, but the nearly 74-year-old stalwart of the sport has also nurtured numerous players who have achieved considerable success in overseas clubs, while others have obtained CAF coaching licenses.
Sasol was the sponsor of both Banyana Banyana and Safa’s women’s league, the Sasol Women’s League.
“It is a disheartening moment to witness Sasol retract their financial support for our women’s football.
This will not only have detrimental repercussions on the development and advancement of women’s football – a cause for which many of us have laboured tirelessly to elevate – but it will also reverse the progress we have made over the years,” lamented Hilton-Smith.
Hilton-Smith acknowledged that while we can celebrate the fact that sponsors are beginning to reassess their positions regarding support for Safa, it is imperative that the association’s hierarchy commence the process of restoring order before it becomes too late.
“I do not believe there are companies eager to align themselves with a disorganised entity beset by negative publicity and grievances from clubs and players regarding unpaid salaries and monthly grants, especially when these companies have disbursed funds intended for such purposes,” stated Hilton-Smith, who now serves as a motivational speaker and mentor to several Banyana players.
Hilton-Smith emphasised that Sasol has been the lifeblood of women’s football for the past 16 years, asserting, “We cannot pretend their withdrawal does not represent a significant setback, particularly as our Banyana Banyana team, currently representing the nation at Wafcon, will inevitably suffer as a result.”
Banyana, the reigning champions of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, are presently in Morocco, where they will commence their title defence against Ghana on Monday, July 7. The other competitors in Group C are Mali and Tanzania.
