Little Lads to close the net on drug abuse

A GROUP of strong-minded parents in Mariannridge, determined to change the youth’s outlook of life, have joined forces to create a soccer club for children aged three to 12 years old.

According to Dailene Dickon of Drug Free Zone, it all began in July this year. Drug Free Zone is an organisation aimed at creating support groups for parents who have children with drug addiction, and also for people struggling with drug addiction who want out. Its long term goal is to establish a rehabilitation facility within the Inner West.

“Our biggest challenge is whoonga. People have become so desperate that they are willing to sell anything from their homes to satisfy their drug addiction. Sadly, there is no rehabilitation centres here that can help, the nearest one is in Newlands Park but there is a waiting list. The next option is for us to send the drug addicts to Stanger, which is still too far,” said Dickon.

A concerned parent and former resident of Mariannridge, Ivan Ahmed, came up with an idea of creating a soccer club for the children.

“Soccer is something I love, and is what helped me to survive the lifestyle in this community when I was younger. I wanted to create an alternative for children to look forward to other than drugs – which was a soccer club,” said Ahmed.

Ahmed, who is also known as ID Ikes, volunteered as a coach for the soccer team called Little Lads. He said it was heartbreaking listening to three and four-year-olds name the different drugs on the streets and where they can be purchased.

Little Lads consists of 75 children who train every Monday and Wednesday (5.30pm to 6.30pm). The soccer club is managed by a strict committee who has enforced the rule that if you want to enroll your child in a match, you have to sign the child in and sign them out again, therefore ensuring that there is a parent or older sibling responsible for the child at all times.

“There is no league for three to four year olds and we are hoping that other communities can create their own team so we can form a league. This will also enable us to liaise with other communities about their difficulties and ways to help each other,” said Ahmed.

Janet Whitebooi, one of the parents on the committee, said she doesn’t want their children to know about drugs, she wants them to learn about important issues and are hoping to make a difference is some of these children’s lives.

“They have already developed skills and just need some encouragement. This soccer idea will teach them respect and discipline,” said Whitebooi.

The residents have planned a street soccer tournament as a fundraiser for kits and equipment for the boys at Mercury Crescent in Mariannridge on Saturday, 29 November from 8.30am. Contact Janet on 031 570 5646, 073 260 7971 or e-mail: jwhitebooi@straussdaly.co.za

If anyone would like to sponsor the event or make a donation to Little Lads, you can contact the admin manager, Tasneem Hassen Smith via email: tasneemhassensmith69@gmail.com