Lack of sport facilities cause for concern
“We do not have sports facilities. The people are supposed to grade the grounds for us, but they aren't doing that. Which means we have to take money out of our own pockets and pay to have the ground graded,” says Nhlapo.
Langaville – With six extensions in Langaville, coaches are complaining about the lack of functional sporting facilities and poor maintained grounds.
According to the coaches, Langaville only has three functional sports field, which only accommodates soccer players.
Thembisile Nhlapo, coach of the Victorious Netball Team, says they have been raising these issues with the sports committee without any success or feedback from them.
“We do not have sports facilities. The grounds are supposed to be graded for us, but it is not being done.
“Which means we have to take money out of our own pockets and pay to have the ground graded,” says Nhlapo.
Also read: Tsakane sports grounds need maintenance
She further explains there are no facilities for other sporting codes other than soccer, which has led to poor sports participation from the community.
She says netball players have no other choice than to use soccer grounds for games and practice.
“We have to spend money to visit other teams because we are not able to host tournaments in our own area; we do not have proper netball courts.”
Sports, heritage, arts and culture sector representative of Langaville Abraham Cindi says: “I have submitted the proposal to the relevant ward officer and stated all the grievances concerning our coaches, players and the community at large. I am yet to receive any feedback.”
Other challenges stated by soccer coaches are that the grounds get muddy when it rains which means they cannot use it until it dries out, which sometimes take about a week.
Derrick Madlopha, Tycoons Football Club coach, explains: “There is a major health factor too because of the dust our players are exposed to, and the ward refuses to recognise us and our needs.”
Sidwell Sherwani, Sparrows coach, says because the grounds are not maintained people tend to build churches in those open fields, which is starting to become a problem.
