Young runner pleads with community to help her club

The East Athletic Club (EAC) middle-distance runner, Mathapelo Ntanda, says the success of the fourth Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) cross-country league meeting on June 24 at Marivate Park in Daveyton, depends on the community’s support.

The 3km cross-country and 1 500m track specialist challenged the greater Benoni community to assist the club financially for the event to be successful.

“I’m appealing to the community to support us. Our club doesn’t have enough money to host the event. We need the community because this event also puts Daveyton on the map,” she said.

The EAC needs around R6 000 to cover essentials like chevrons, mobile toilets and boxes of water sachets.

“The success of the event depends on how the community responds. If the response is positive, we know the community appreciates the work the club is doing to get young people off the streets,” she said.

The club’s coach, Isaac Ndlovu, said he was saddened by how young people in the community have given in to drugs and alcohol. He added sports are the only way to ensure that children refrain from substance abuse.

Ndlovu said, “We need your help on June 24. We are hosting an event. We need to hire mobile toilets, tables and chairs, and chevrons, which will cost the club around R6 000. Unfortunately, with our current financial situation, we cannot afford it.”

One of the club’s top runners, Thato Sesoko, invited parents to support them when their children participate.

Sesoko and her teammates will continue their quest to qualify for the national cross-country championships this weekend when the third league meeting will be held in Dobsonville. The runners must participate in three of the six events, including the CGA championships in August, to be considered for selection to the nationals.

Co-coach Victor Raseane said one of their challenges is covering the bi-monthly travel costs to the CGA events.

“We are asking anyone to assist us with transport for the Dobsonville-leg of the season on June 3. It will cost us R1 500 to take the children to Soweto.

“We have a large group of runners from Etwatwa and Daveyton, needing two taxis to take everyone to the competitions. We are often forced to leave some behind because their parents can’t afford the taxi fare,” said Raseane.

To assist the club, call Isaac Ndlovu on 067 00 9142 or Monde Maduna on 071 406 4543 or 066 209 9632.

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