DURBAN City FC chairperson Farook Kadodia is looking to revive the interest of the Indian community in South African football with his newly-promoted Betway Premiership side.
Speaking exclusively to Independent Newspapers at the announcement of their sponsorship from the BMW Durban South on Tuesday, Kadodia insisted that although this is not something he “wanted to publicise”, but felt he it was important to highlight the need for Indian representation in the local professional league.
According to Kadodia, when he first formed Maritzburg United (now changed to Durban City), they were part of three Indian-owned teams in the PSL along with Manning Rangers and Santos FC.
“I come from the days where we used football as a method to demonstrate our stance against apartheid. There used to be an all-African league, an all-white league and then we had a league with players from all racial groups in it,” said Kadodia.
“I grew up in the sort of mixed fraternity where we fought and struggled together. I think football is a lot like that, because it’s a fight to stay in this league. It’s tough and you need to have your best all the time. But I’m a football fanatic, I don’t think giving up is an option.”
The 2025/2026 season will the first for Durban City in the Premiership during the PSL era, and with a seasoned tectician like Gavin Hunt, Kadodia is confident they are not going to add numbers but will compete for their place.
They open their season against TS Galaxy on August 10.
“In our first year, I think we needed a coach that will align himself with the brand and team and to have (around him) people who know him well so they can affiliate themselves with the team,” said Kadodia.
“We played our first year last season in the NFD (National First Division but now know as Motsepe Foundation Championship), and we played in Chatsworth.
“On a Friday nights, we attracted around 4,000 people to watch us play, which we did not expect to be honest. I think going into this first year (in the Premiership), there will be two aspects at play; namely ensuring our survival, and the second is stability.
“With that, I thought we needed a brand name like Gavin Hunt to help push this process along smoother.”
With over 1000 top flight matches as a coach and multiple trophies to his name including four league titles, there is no doubt Hunt brings a wealth of experience to the club.
Sharing the boardroom with Hunt will be Ernst Middendorp, who has been roped in as a technical director.
Middendorp has had deveral stints as Maritzburg United head coach, therefore well know to Kadodia.
