Athletes get uniform donation
Reedville - Various individual donors have rallied to support the new Bhayoyo Athletics Academy.
These donors including Bruce Nkadimeng, Mark Plaatjies, Liesbet Ntozini and Moepeng Jacobs, among others, have assisted in helping so that the team could get a uniform and takkies.
“We currently have 30 young athletes from the age of five to 15 years old from Reedville.
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“The children started pouring in after seeing an article in the African Reporter in July, of Noluvo Fakude (9) who we were assisting with training.
“We then saw that it was maybe time to open a club,” says head coach Charles ‘Payoyo’ Vilakazi.
The coach and his assistants however, have stopped other children from coming as they feel 30 is enough for now.
The academy’s plan is to continue with this group even after the age of 15 years old, though for all those who will join later, they would not take any over that age.
Since the group officially started operating in August, in early January they will be going to register with Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA).
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But this has its own set of challenges as it is a costly process while some of these children’s parents don’t work.
“We still need more help including more uniforms and takkies, tracksuits, sports bags and training equipment among other things.
“The team is also currently training in Reedville at a park, so we would love a safe place to do this.
“While the only challenge of using the KwaThema Stadium which is closest to us, would be that we would need transport.
“It’s hard to always ask for money from parents when you know some are unemployed while others don’t care for the sport but their child does,” says Payoyo.
The coaches say in the meantime to ensure all children are catered for, they share the little they have with all the children.
“This is so they can learn the spirit of giving and so no child feels deprived or different from the rest.
“But this then means that we must dig deeper into our own pockets,” says assistant coach Liesbet Ntozini.
The two coaches hope to see at least 10 of these children representing South Africa one day.
And looking at them, their dedication, hard work and performance, they believe it is possible.
For more information on the academy contact Payoyo on 078 299 4979.
