Local athletics team receives early Christmas gift
“We are trying to remove the young children between 6-15 years from the streets and keeping them busy through sports".
KwaThema – Langaville Athletic Health and Fitness Academy received branded training kit from Makaula Funeral Parlour recently.
The young runners previously did not have a uniform to wear while participating in competitions, until the good Samaritan offered to help.
Chairperson of the team, Saki Kgapola, says he approached the local undertaker two months ago for assistance.
“It pained me that my dedicated team didn’t have a uniform while competing, like other athletes.
“We have a team of 150 young people in the academy, and the number keeps on growing through the months.
“We are trying to remove the young children aged between six and 15 years from the streets and keeping them busy through sports.
“We focus on development and trying to fight drug abuse and teenage pregnancies by keeping them busy after school and during school holidays,” he says.
Saki says he was happy when they received a call from the undertaker informing them that their gear was ready for collection.
“We will now be recognised as a unified and formalised team of athletes when we participate in competitions.
“We are calling on local business people and parents to support us in raising funds to buy the athletes tracksuits and sneakers.
“Most of our athletes come from disadvantaged backgrounds and cannot afford such luxuries,” he says.
Siya Makaula from Makaula Funeral Parlour says he decided to contribute positively towards the initiative.
“We understand that for such an initiative to progress, they need our support as much as we need their support for us to grow as a business.
“We frequently support other initiatives in the community, and we saw it fit to respond to the team’s request,” he says.
