Speech by Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Barbara Creecy on the occasion of the funeral of Mpho 'Gift' Leremi, Soweto

10 September 2007

It was with deep sadness that the Gauteng Provincial Government learnt about the passing on of the late Mr Mpho 'Gift' Leremi on Tuesday, 4 September 2007.

Like most of the citizens of this country we were shocked and felt robbed of the talent that was suddenly lost at such a tender age of 22 years. The loss has been and will continue to be felt by the football fraternity and the whole country because Gift was a key player in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) but was destined to have played a significant role in the 2010 World Cup that will be hosted in our country and on African soil for the very first time.

Having noted the sad news, I would like to encourage Sundowns Football Club, your support base and the football fraternity at large to remain steadfast and strong but to take forward the positive work Gift brought to the team. It is a great gesture for you to have dedicated the Supa 8 final in Gift's honour.

It is notable to see the phenomenal growth and progress made by the professional football structures in our country in recent times. This is great for the sport, the clubs, the players and football at large. However, it is evident that as the business of football increases, so do the pressures on the administrators and players increase. With these new dynamics at play it is evident that we have to prepare both the administrators and players commensurately.

The modern day footballer is a huge investment to a club and therefore has to be 'well cared for' supported not just on the field of play but also socially, educationally and emotionally.

I wish to place on record and pledge that the Gauteng Provincial Government and in particular my department will like to engage with the Premier Football League or South African Football Association and consolidate current support projects for professional players in the areas of life skills and social responsibility support projects, amongst others for Gauteng based teams.

I further wish to assure the Leremi family of our unwavering support during this period of grief and pain.

What remains for sport administrators is to ensure that talent in the country is holistically developed and nurtured so that the seed planted by Gift and others before him blossoms and becomes the basis for the success of sport, and football in particular in our nation.

I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the football family.

May Mpho 'Gift' Leremi's soul rest in peace?

Issued by: Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
10 September 2007