Younus Kadodia, CEO of Maritzburg United, has confirmed that the club is on the verge of changing its name due to an ongoing dispute over Harry Gwala Stadium.
This dispute has led them to permanently relocate to Durban.
After being relegated, Maritzburg United was barred from using Harry Gwala Stadium, which was then secured by Royal AM with backing from the Msunduzi Municipality.
Initially, there was an agreement for both Maritzburg United and Royal AM to share the stadium, but Royal AM later requested the municipality to remove Maritzburg United from the venue immediately.
Home Matches at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Consequently, Maritzburg United had to play their home matches at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont last season. Despite efforts, Kadodia expressed disappointment as they were unable to secure a return to Harry Gwala.
Failed Resolution
“We haven’t had any success in finding a resolution regarding the use of Harry Gwala,” Kadodia lamented. He emphasized the sadness of possibly ending the club’s 21-year relationship with Pietermaritzburg.
Moving to Durban
Kadodia stated that it doesn’t make sense to keep the name “Maritzburg United” while the club is based in Durban.
Future Plans
“For the 2024/25 PSL season, our games will be at Chatsworth Stadium,” Kadodia revealed. He indicated that a decision on the club’s future, including a potential name change, will be made soon.
Commitment to Football
Kadodia reassured that despite changes, the club remains committed to football. The focus now is on deciding the franchise’s future name.
Community Impact
“We’ve built a strong community-based brand over the last 21 years,” Kadodia reflected. He noted the unfortunate impact on fans who can no longer travel to Durban for home games.
Seeking Support
“We have to look to get support from the communities around Chatsworth,” Kadodia concluded, highlighting the importance of local backing.
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