CAF has officially announced a big increase in financial support grants for member associations and zonal unions such as SAFA.
African football's organising body has confirmed that it is set to increase the annual support grants for its member associations by a lofty percentage.
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The decision was announced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe on Sunday, during a meeting with the zonal unions in Ethiopia, where he also discussed football development on the continent.
Per a statement posted on CAFOnline.com, member association grants will increase from $250 000 to $400 000 (about R4.3 million to R7 million).
Meanwhile, the annual subvention for zonal unions will go up from $450 000 to $750 000 (about R7.9 million to R13.2 million).
It is understood that the initiative is intended to bolster the efforts of zonal unions and member associations in promoting the growth and development of football across the continent.
The president of the zonal union WAFU B, Kurt Okraku, said: "We thank President Motsepe for the enormous work he has done since he took over as the President of CAF. We have seen the progress, the progress of his vision.
"As an MA President, we understand the pain of finding even 1 USD. Funding under President Motsepe's leadership has increased. If you go to our countries, football development activities are happening. And that is no coincidence.
"We also thank President Motsepe for his visits to Heads of States in Africa – and engage them."
UNIFFAC president Guy Blaise Mayolas added: "We thank you, President, for walking with us on this journey. Today, UNIFFAC has a home – this is the first time that UNIFFAC has a home. We thank CAF, we thank the President of CAF."
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The president of WAFU A, Lamin Kaba Bajo, echoed those sentiments, stating: "I would like to acknowledge the support Zonal Unions are receiving from CAF. The increased financial support from CAF has been invaluable for us at Zonal levels. We thank President Motsepe for his leadership and the tone he has set at CAF."