Vincent Hlatshwayo, coach at Ulinda Athletics Club, believes his athletes need better facilities to receive effective training.
“This field is not conducive for the kind of training that we are supposed to do.
“It is not marked for distances and other people are doing other sporting codes,” he explained.
The club used to train at Kwa-Thema Stadium and now trains at the Kwa-Thema Sports Complex.
They claim the gates of the stadium have been locked for months.
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Vusi Shabangu, secretary of the Kwa-Thema Sports Confederation, said he has been trying to help the team for a while.
“We have invited the metro to come to see the facility, with the hope that they will understand the frustration of the athletes,” said Shabangu.
Kwa-Thema Sports Complex is also plagued with vandals who litter on the premises and destroy the equipment.
The grass is also overgrown.
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In response to their grievances, the City of Ekurhuleni stated the Kwa-Thema Stadium is not closed to the public.
“Anyone who needs to make use of the facility must book via our booking system.
“Sports clubs and any others interested are no exceptions.
“This is to ensure proper management and equitable access to the facility,” explained City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.