By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Legendary SA football administrator Abdul Bhamjee has died aged 83.
Bhamjee, who died on Monday night, was one of the founders of the professionalised National Soccer League (NSL) when it broke away from the old National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) in 1985.
The initial 78‚000-seater FNB Stadium‚ begun in Nasrec in 1986 and completed in 1989‚ is credited as having been his brainchild.
The NSL was the precursor to the current Premier Soccer League‚ and tapped into the potential of sponsorship and television broadcast revenue far more effectively than previously.
As PRO‚ Bhamjee was known for the excitement and hype he brought to the new league.
His son Muhammed said that Bhamjee was one of the pioneers of professional football in the country.
“He’ll be remembered as someone who did things for the people and he put South African football first and I think that the FNB Stadium is there to show what he did, to give the first football stadium to the underprivileged during apartheid times.”
Fullview sends heartfelt condolences to Bhamjee’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.