FAR TOO MANY SA SOCCER PLAYERS ARE DYING IN ROAD ACCIDENTS

THE IFP calls on the Department of Sports and Recreation, Premier Soccer League and football clubs to be involved in road safety campaigns following the tragic death of Maritzburg United’s Mlondi Dlamini, who died in a car accident on Sunday.

We’ve lost a number of footballers through car accidents.

In September 2007 an exciting soccer player, Gift Leremi, 23, died in a car crash when he lost control of his car along the R556, between Vaal Road and Brackendowns, Alberton. We also lost Lesley Manyathela in 2003. In January last year, Mondli Cele, another Maritzburg United midfielder, died after the car he was travelling in veered off into the Duzi River on Park Drive, Pietermaritzburg.

Football clubs must do more to educate their players about road safety and fatigue which are also major contributors to road accidents.

More than that there must be more emphasis on the issue of alcohol abuse and speeding among football players.

It is a well-known fact that many players who have cars also drink alcohol, which puts them at risk.

We are very concerned because whenever there is a road accident, the focus is usually centred on the fatalities, with little said about those who sustain injuries. Yet injuries affect their lives, with some becoming disabled for life.

It is our collective duty as a nation to ensure the safety of our players. Furthermore, we would like to advise all players to use roadworthy vehicles, not to travel too fast, to leave on time or make other arrangements when playing too far away, to avoid overloading and to use safer transport.

The IFP would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the Dlamini family, the management and players at Maritzburg United.

Nhlanhla Msimango, IFP MPL