Update
KAROO NEWS - ANC councillor Xolile Galada tabled a motion at the general council meeting on 27 June that the football stadium in uMasizakhe be named after Ayakha Xalisa, the 18-year-old boy who collapsed and died during a football game on 15 July last year.
Xalisa started playing football under the Academy football development in 2012 at the age of seven.
He showcased his talent when he played for the Portugal Birds' u.13 and u.15 teams and then progressed to playing his first season in the SAB League under the Academy football development.
He then returned to the Portugal Birds for his second season in the SAB League when the team managed to finish as runners-up. On 15 July 2023, while preparing for the new season, Xalisa collapsed during a friendly game at the uMasizakhe stadium. His passing is a great loss for our football family and the entire uMasizakhe community, marking a sombre moment in our football history.
It is against this background that Galada moved council to resolve that the uMasizakhe stadium be renamed to the Ayakha Xalisa Puyol stadium in honour of this young soul who has died on the football field.
Council was asked to conduct public participation on the motion as soon as possible in order to speed up the process.
According to Galada the renaming of the stadium is in the public interest as it will embrace the football family and the community of uMasizakhe. He concluded that the proposal for the renaming is done on behalf of the uMasizakhe, Kroonvale, Santaville and Asherville youth and young football players who will greatly appreciate council's favourable consideration of the matter.
Galada's motion was unanimously approved and adopted by council.
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