IFP: Sugar Ray Xulu played soccer in difficult times

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) extended its condolences to the family of Cedric 'Sugar Ray' Xulu following the passing of the soccer great.

The Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium is named after the AmaZulu legend, who died at the age of 81 on Monday.

Xulu succumbed to a long battle with cancer.

"Mr Cedric 'Sugar Ray' Xulu played soccer at the difficult times of our country when Black people were prohibited the many opportunities to establish themselves in their talents and prosper," read the statement.

"But, together with many others, he was in a way able to break those chains and succeeded to make a name for himself and became a household name in soccer and in sports in South Africa. It is befitting that Clermont Township has a soccer stadium named after him."

Xulu made a name for himself in South African football during the 1960s and was admired by the likes of Jomo Sono.

The statement continued: "Even after retirement, Mr Cedric 'Sugar Ray' Xulu and many other Sports Legends in KZN such as Michael 'Bizzah' Dlamini, Shoes Shamase, Shaka Ngcobo, Vuma Mfeka and many others, continued to become a valuable resource to sports development in the province of KwaZulu Natal through their participation in the many forums aimed at promoting sport in the province.

"Your contribution to the development and promotion of sport in our country will never be forgotten. The IFP says yours was a life well lived and you became a very good ambassador of the promotion of goodwill in our province and our country."

- Compiled by Sport24 staff