The South African Football Association (Safa) have received a whopping R50m to improve the standard of refereeing in Mzansi.
Safa will be using the cash injection to develop competent match officials in all tiers of the football structure in South Africa.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL), National First Division (NFD), ABC Motsepe League, SAB League, SASOL Women’s League and all cup matches are all set to benefit.
The five-year deal with insurance giants OUTsurance, similar to their current deal with SA Rugby, will see the refs wear branded kits.
Safa Deputy Chairperson of Referees Mbongeni Shibe adds the deal will include grassroots development of underprivileged match officials, facilitating skills development for better on field performance and a review of payment to ensure fairness across the various grades.
He says: “As the South African Football Association, we are excited to partner with a corporate that has already achieved so much with their existing sponsorships, and who we know are determined to making a positive difference in this space.
“Our motivation to partner with OUTsurance was that their objectives for the sponsorship aligned with those we have set out for Vision 2022, one of which is specifically the progress and inclusivity of women in football, which will receive assistance from this sponsorship.”