DZANANI – Black Leopards will get undivided support from Venda traditional leaders in all aspects. Thovhele Toni Mphephu Ramabulana made the announcement during the traditional leaders' meeting with the managing director of Black Leopards Football Club, Mr David Thidiela, which was held at the Mphephu palace in Dzanani last Friday.

Mphephu reiterated that, while traditional leaders will give the club their full backing, they will in return expect the management of the team to keep them informed of any development within the club. "How can we proudly say the team is ours, while we get most of the information pertaining to the club through the media?" Mphephu asked.

During the meeting, Mphephu also revealed that he is a card-carrying member of the club and encouraged other Chiefs to follow suit, saying that Black Leopards are the pride of the entire Limpopo Province and the Vhavenda community in particular.

He further stated that, although it might not be possible for him to go in person, some of the Chiefs will accompany the team to the Telkom Charity Cup Tournament that will be staged at Soccer City in Johannesburg tomorrow. That, according to him, is a clear indication that the traditional leaders have the interests of the team at heart.

Most of the Chiefs who attended the meeting, committed themselves that they would attend most of the team's home matches, while others said that they were prepared to accompany the team in its away fixtures. During the meeting, Thidiela stated that the team had acquired a new sponsorship from one of the cellular companies, Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN).

He said that the sponsorship would help to boost the team's morale. He said he was sorry that the team had started last season on a low note, although it had been difficult to beat them towards the end of the season. He promised that their aim was to bring home some silverware this season. Mr Thidiela presented his club's blazers to each of the 28 chiefs who attended the meeting.