About Swaraj Football Club

Background

Swaraj Football Club was formed in 1925 in Asiatic Bazaar (Pretoria), also known as “Marabastad”. Swaraj FC has played under the auspicious of the Pretoria District Football (PDFA) for most of its existence.  In 1997 an executive decision was made to register the club to the Football Association Pretoria (FAP). In 1999 Swaraj FC returned to the Pretoria District Football Association now known as the Laudium Football Association (LFA).

Swaraj FC Commitment

The officials of Swaraj FC has pledged to promote amateur football in an association who practices our values of non-racial and non-discrimination.

Swaraj FC Motto

The Swaraj motto is “Our strength lies our youth”. We firmly believe that any future begins by developing the youth. Swaraj has aggressively adopted this motto.

Swaraj FC Colours

Since its establishment in 1925 Swaraj FC’s colours was and still is RED, GREEN and WHITE. Rumour has it that the original Swaraj colours were suppose to be orange, green and white as Swaraj colours were to represent the colours of the Indian flag and commemorate the independence of India, which was awarded in 1925. Red was chosen over orange as it proved challenging to acquire soccer attire in the colour orange. It is believed that there is significant truth in this rumour as the word “Swaraj” means FREEDOM.

At the 2004 Swaraj AGM a proposal, by Mr. Sanjay Baktawar, to amend the constitution was received. One of the amendments to constitution included introducing Swaraj away colours. It was decided that the Swaraj away colours would be orange, green and white. Currently Swaraj FC plays in a home strip of RED, GREEN & WHITE and an away strip of ORANGE, GREEN & WHITE.

Swaraj FC Special achievements

Like any other club there has been trophies and league cups that Swaraj has won. However not many amateur clubs can boast having Springbok players in their midst. Swaraj FC has had during its existence 3 players selected for the South African Indian XI (then known as Springboks), ie.

1. In 1934/5 Mr. Kanabathy (Bavoo) Moodley
2. In 1952 Mr. Rajendrin Krishnan
3. In 1958 Mr. Nithia (Dick) Moodley

 Swaraj FC has also played in leagues of statue namely the Federation and TSB Leagues.

Swaraj FC through the years…

We dug through our archives and found the pictures below of Swaraj through the various decades. (Slideshow with 5 sec interval)

Congratulations Swaraj FC, well done for keeping football in Laudium alive and giving back to the community this past 90 years.  

From the executive and members of Delfos Football Club.