Mams soccer team desperately in need of a sports ground
The soccer players and club management took the initiative to clean the space to prevent their young players from getting injured by broken bottles and other hazardous items.
The newly formed soccer team Mamelodi Rising Stars Football Club is pleading with the public to stop littering at an open veld next to Ikageng in Mamelodi East.
The football team was formed to keep children away from the streets.
One of the founders of the club, Thabo Khobo, said the team is struggling to find a safe soccer ground for the players to sharpen their soccer skills.
He said the team consists of U/11 and U/17 players who are passionate about soccer but are facing significant challenges with their training grounds.
“We are training on an open field next to Ikageng Community Hall, which unfortunately doubles as a dumping area,” said Khobo.
He said for the past two weekends, the soccer players and club management took the initiative to clean the space to prevent their young players from getting injured by broken bottles and other hazardous items.
Khobo said they used garden tools to try and clean the veld and pleaded with the locals to stop littering on the veld.
However, the team is still struggling with dust and occasional injuries from the poor conditions.
“Our goal is to keep the youth away from substance abuse and other social ills by keeping them engaged in sports and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
“Mamelodi has lots of talent, and Mamelodi Rising Stars will help the children of Mamelodi unleash their hidden talent, but the issue is the playground,” he said.
“The team reached out to nearby schools to request access to their sports grounds for after-school and Saturday practices, but sadly, our efforts have not been successful.
“We are reaching out to the Mamelodi East community for support and assistance with cleaning the open field and stopping the dumping of waste in that area.”
Additionally, the club would appreciate any support in making Mamelodi Rising Stars a true community team.
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