MY SPORTING MEMORY
Vengan, 50 not out and going strong with Isipingo Junior Soccer Development
THIS year Ronnie Vengan celebrates 50 years as a sports administrator in four codes – soccer, cricket, darts and squash – and despite being 68 celebrated his golden jubilee by establishing Isipingo Junior Soccer Development, aimed at mentoring youth and their parents.
Vengan, who is also the public relations officer, is working alongside Kamal Singh. They ensureing that a new generation of youngsters gets the boost they require in soccer at grassroots level, while their parents are mentored to become team leaders, coaches and sports administrators. He said his father had been his mentor and this is his opportunity to pay forward.
“My father (Appadu Vengan) served the soccer fraternity as an administrator for four decades, starting off as the secretary and treasurer of the South Coast District Indian Football Association, which was based in Clairwood. He also served as president of the Natal Indian Football Association and chairman of the SCDIFA Sports and Educational Trust.
“He was my mentor, my legacy, my world. So its was only right that I work towards grooming others to becoming the best they can be,” said Vengan.
He started as an administrator in the same positions as his dad. At 17 Vengan was secretary and treasurer of Gokulstan United Football Club, which later changed its name to Isipingo Suburbs Football Club.
He then served as manager and chairman and was elected to serve as a match secretary of the Southern Natal KwaZulu Soccer Board before becoming president of the Isipingo and District and the MidSouth Coast Football Association.
At 32 he had become a life member of the latter association. His knowledge in administration led to him being scouted to other codes of sport, the first being cricket.
He was chairman of Isipingo Suburbs Cricket Club and secretary and president of the Isipingo and District Cricket Union.
Vengan rose up the ranks to eventually becomea council member of the Natal Cricket Board. But that was not enough. Being multi-skilled, he simultaneously served at the Isipingo Suburbs Darts Club as its chairman and yet again climbed up the ladder.
He was vice-president of the South Coast Darts Association and later general secretary of the Southern Natal Darts Union.
If that was not enough, squash beckoned. Asked why he had not played sports instead, he laughed: “Not everyone is gifted to be a soccer player or a cricket player, and not everyone is gifted to be an administrator.
“My father also never played sports. It was purely admin, but my contribution to the fields are no less.”
Vengan, also a founder member and chief executive of Isipingo Soccer Legends, which is affiliated to the KZN Golden Oldies over 50 league, attends weekly matches, but as a spectator of course.
While many things are different, some things remain the same.
For information on Isipingo Junior Soccer Development, Vengan can be contacted on 078 316 4356.