AFI Africa is a Registered NPO and Sports Federation in South Africa.
Its main purpose is to establish, develop, grow and sustain Diraro Footy 9s in South Africa.
The sport originates from Australia, and it is growing all over Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa. It was established in the 1850s in Melbourne, Australia.
Australian Football International’s CEO is Mr. Brian Clarke, an Australian based in Melbourne. In 2023 he appointed Mr. Phaweng Bahula, from the Sekhukhune District in Limpopo, to establish Footy 9s in Africa.
Mr. Phaweng Bahula appointed Mr. Moteka Pebane to be the Chief Executive Officer and President of AFI Africa in South Africa. He also gave him the responsibility to establish Leadership Structures across all Provinces, Districts and local Municipalities.
Mr. Phaweng Bahula is the African Continental Chairperson, as well as the National Chairperson of the AFI Africa Federation in South Africa.
Footy 9s in South Africa is going to be called Diraro Footy 9s. It is called Diraro which means three because, in its nature, the game combines a little bit of three sports codes which are Rugby, Soccer and Basketball. It’s a unique kind of game that is so entertaining and interesting. It is called Footy 9s because 9 players are competing against 9 opponents.
The game is played by males and females and here in South Africa, the following age categories are going to play the game:
1. Under 12 Boys & Girls
2. Under 16 Boys & Girls
3. Under 21 Boys & Girls
4. Over 21 Men & Women
We have developed the best policies in place for smooth and effective governance, including a Human Resources policy, Finance policy and a Children and Women Protection policy.
We have established the National Executive Committee, Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee, Gauteng Provincial Committee, Sekhukhune District Executive Committee, Waterberg District Executive Committee, Mopani District Executive Committee, Vhembe District Executive Committee and Capricorn District Executive Committee.
We are busy with the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and other Provinces will be done before the end of August 2024. We are also recruiting Volunteers across the country to join us and establish Diraro Footy 9s clubs in their communities, so we can begin with training and conducting workshops.
In conclusion, we are for the development of young and old, the improvement of a healthy lifestyle to fight against illness, entertaining, and keeping our nation busy and removing the idling young people from the streets.
We are going to work with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education, Department of Tourism as we are going to take the sports to the schools and universities and also contribute a lot to the Tourism industry.
We are requesting all stakeholders from the Public and Private Sectors to come on board and support this Nation Building initiative.
I thank you.
Mr. Moteka Pebane
Chief Executive Officer
AFI Africa
