The Royal Bafokeng nation plans to use the acquisition of professional soccer outfit Silver Stars to develop the sport in North West.
The focus will be on mass participation and schools in Rustenburg. Surrounding townships and villages are expected to benefit a great deal.
Royal Bafokeng Sports Holdings (RBSH) were yesterday unveiled as the new majority shareholders of the Tycoons, with a 51 percent stake.
RBSH is a subsidiary of Royal Bafokeng Holdings, which is an investment arm of the Royal Bafokeng nation.
Previous co-directors of the club, Joseph Mapfulagasha and Larry Brookstone, are reported to have been offered R20 million each as part of the deal.
Stars will also change their name to Platinum Stars in the new season pending approval from the league’s executive committee.
RBSH will appoint three directors to the club’s board, one of whom will be chairman.
George Khunou, managing director of RBSH, said they were delighted to have finally acquired a professional soccer club for Bafokeng.
“We envisage it becoming an important role player in meeting the recreational objectives of RBN’s ambitious master plan for socio-economic development,” said Khunou.
He said Stars will go into the transfer market for a few quality players to sweep the boards in the Premiership next season.
Khunou, who is expected to be appointed the new chairman of Stars, said RBSH envisaged a three-tier development pyramid for soccer in the province.
“At the base of the pyramid is the development of soccer among children in the region from the age of six; in the middle is the further development of the sport among older players, including schools’ ‘elite’ players; and at the top there is Platinum Stars and the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace to provide a national, and indeed international, focus for the sport.
“At each level of the pyramid we will work with major stakeholders in the region, including government, Safa, mining companies and local communities.”
Dignitaries who attended the launch included Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi and MEC for sports in North West Ndleleni Duma.
