12 June 2001
Tomorrow's Professional Soccer League (PSL) Awards Ceremony marks the official closing of the 2000/2001 season of the PSL.
Throughout this season, football has remained and grown as a popular working class sport. The South African Communist Party (SACP) salutes the millions of working class fans and supporters who continue to derive entertainment from football. It is their support and interests which must drive and transform our football into a true people's sport controlled by the people.
The SACP congratulates the new PSL League Champions, Orlando Pirates and the new Bob Save Super Bowl Champions, Santos. We also congratulate the newly promoted teams AmaZulu and Black Leopards.
The SACP also notes with sadness that the Ellis Park tragedy was an unfortunate and avoidable blight on an otherwise entertaining season. The SACP is pleased that an investigation has started into this tragedy. This investigation and its outcome must ensure that this tragedy never takes place again through minimum standards for public safety and well-being in our stadiums and that appropriate legal and other remedies are met.
The SACP is also pleased that the 2000/2001 season was also marked by the affiliation to COSATU of the SA Football Player's Union. This is a major step in the struggle of football players as workers against exploitation, unfair working conditions and the absence of working contracts. The SACP is in full support of these struggles and will use the next season to build its links with football workers.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity South African Communist Party
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org