A former Alex footballer, referee, secretary of the football association and later chairman has decried the state of stadia in the township.
Tello Selepe became involved in Alex football in the early 60s after meeting the late Ntate Philemon Molepo, and they formed a soccer club known as Happy Hearts.
“My heart bleeds when I see the stadia dilapidated, lawns unkept and general maintenance neglected,” he said at the launch of the Ntate Philemon Molepo Tournament at the football headquarters at the Alexandra Stadium.
He urged the current executive to do more and engage the City of Johannesburg’s Region E department to ensure the grounds were properly maintained all year round, and were in a playable state all the time.
“We fought the apartheid government when it never cared for the stadia and the same should be done even now,” he said. “This is a government we voted to power to look after our interests and if those interests are not being properly addressed, we have an obligation to remind them.
“We should have the guts to stand up to our government and ensure that promises and obligations are met.”
Deputy president of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association, Robert Langa said they were continuing to engage the city council on various matters pertaining to football.
