The Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation is working on plans to rename Goble Park Stadium – home to the Free State Stars – after the late veteran football administrator, Liphapang Michael Mokoena.
Mokoena, who was popularly known as ‘Bra Mike’, succumbed to cancer last month, leaving the football fraternity in total shock.
Mokoena, who was chairman of Free State Stars left a lasting legacy not only in the football fraternity but within the community he resided in, and as a result, it’s only befitting that he be honoured, many football fans have suggested on various platforms.
“We are in the process to rename the Goble Park Stadium after the late football icon,” says Maki Mahasa, MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation in the province.
Speaking to the Free State Weekly, Mahasa confirmed that her department was in the process of renaming the stadium, following many calls from the public.
The MEC said following Mokoena’s death proposals have been made to honour the fallen football giant.
“Proposals were brought to the table with regard to the naming of the stadium and as a caring government, we listened and have embarked on the process of heeding the call made by our people,” she noted.
She indicated the necessary legal and procedural processes would be followed as informed by the Geographical Names regulations.
“The Free State Provincial Geographical Names Committee (PGNC) will lead the renaming process in accordance with the relevant guidelines. Such a process includes public hearings.”
The department was is in consultation with Dihlabeng Local Municipality, who are the custodians of the stadium, on how to take the process forward.
“Once all the necessary consultations and processes have been undertaken and the outcomes will be communicated to all interested parties and the general public,” said Mahasa.
“It is befitting that a person of Mike Mokoena’s calibre, who played a pivotal role in the promotion of sport not only in our province but also in the country, be honoured in this manner,” she added.
