The deal is expected to help establish a semi-professional amateur league consisting of 30 teams. More than 5 000 children play amateur league soccer in Soweto. But most of their clubs are self funded. Parents sometimes sacrifice their salaries to buy their children's kit. This sponsorship of Safa in Soweto may well produce some of the players in the 2010 World Cup team.

Phil Mogodi of SAFA Soweto says they have been tasked by the mother body's head office to make sure that they produce good players for 2006 and 2010. The main event will be the Phillips Cup for the senior clubs, which will also have the Under nine, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20 junior leagues. Ian Murdoch, Phillips South Africa chief executive officer, said they were excited to be involved in the development of football in South Africa. Phillips were one of the major companies which backed the successful South African 2010 World Cup bid. They have been co-sponsoring the World Cup since 1986.

from SABC