The Bareng Sports Grounds may appear abandoned and resemble a dumpsite as a result of the refuse strewn about on the edges, but the young soccer players and their coaches never neglect football grounds which plays host to the matches they play there every week.
Bukuta Nemavhola was angered when his team, Alpha Diepkloof went to play a match at the grounds to find waste littered there by what they presume was a toilet hiring company.
The team were at the Bareng Sports Grounds to play a match after their victory during the previous week. Nemavhola said, “It is very disturbing to see that instead of encouraging the youth to play soccer and stay away from negative behaviours, the people use their playing area as a dumping spot.”
This turn of events did not deter four teams from proceeding with their planned top-four tournament which was earmarked to start in mid-June.
One of the local teams that participated in the top four tournament was Diepkloof Harmony Football Club which played against Shikisha Football Club in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Diepkloof Harmony FC chairperson, Vusi Nxumalo said that supporting the young players in the sport will in turn help steer their futures in the right direction.
Nxumalo said, “We are better developers, if you take a closer look at our players, they are PSL-ready but it has been made very difficult for them to go through.”
The Diepkloof Harmony coach, Vusi Mokwefo, was content with his team’s performance. He said, “The team is growing, we lost shape in the first part of the game, but the boys kept on and held their ground to come back with an equalizer.”
Bokamoso lost 2-0 against Sanzukwi Football Club which went on to beat Diepkloof Harmony FC.
Bongumusa Mkhize, the Bokamoso Football Club coach said that conditions at the grounds were not ideal and added that he wishes to participate in the other tournaments in Diepkloof.
