The Bloemfontein-based businessman who has reportedly acquired the naming rights of Bloemfontein Celtic, Eddie Modise, has revealed that his main goal is to buy a team or status from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and develop from there.
Speaking exclusively to Soccer Laduma, Modise clarified that his consortium had never intended or proposed to buy SuperSport United. However, he expressed willingness to work with clubs outside the country to boost the economy of not only the Free State province but South Africa as a whole.
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"For now my plan is to start in the NFD. I want to first buy a team in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. I have spoken to some clubs already. To tell you the truth I have not shown interest in SuperSport United. Maybe there is another consortium. What I know is that I have the naming rights and the name is very important. But if other people have the same rights then I don't know. But if they do that, maybe we can talk. As for the Minister of Sport (Gayton McKenzie) he is a well-known person in Bloemfontein. He is a well known supporter of the club and we are grateful to have him. But we know that the laws do not allow him to be part of the ownership. And we are following all the rules and laws of the game. But as a supporter he is more than welcome to join the team," Modise told Soccer Laduma.
Modise further revealed to Soccer Laduma that his consortium is not just working in Bloemfontein but also collaborating with partners from Eswatini, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe to boost the country's economy.
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"You see earlier I was in a meeting with the Mayor. We are finalising everything and by next week we will have a clearer way forward. This won't just help the people of Bloemfontein. It will boost the economy of the Free State, the country and neighbouring countries as well. I am a Christian, an honest person and I do the things in a transparent manner. We are already in talks to partner with a team from ESwatini led by Mr Welile Mabuza and that will also help in boosting tourism and the economy of the country. That's our main aim of bringing back Siwelele in our football. As I have said, next week we will have a clear direction of where the team will be," Modise told the Siya crew.
So, Modise, with support from the Free State Provincial government, has acquired the naming rights of Bloem Celtic, potentially allowing the team to return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship from next season.
Celtic boast one of the most passionate supporter bases in the country.
