South African school sports completely dead

IN townships of South Africa school sports are completely dead. It is a big shame that in very few township schools, such as in Hanover Park, Manenberg and Khayelitsha, there is nothing going on.

Sports like soccer or netball for example, are not nurtured to motivate the boys and girls to reach the pinnacle in those sports. That is why these children don't see a future for themselves in any sport that they partake in. These schools do not get exposure in the media or any social platform.

School departments that are in charge of these sports are most of the time fighting for positions. No funds are available for equipment or money to travel to your neighbouring school. The Safa and school bodies are fighting each other for control of school sports. In the local soccer structure, there are three different bodies that want to be in charge of school soccer.

Safa introduced the Motsepe soccer tournament for under 19s but even this is a big farce because entry into these tournaments depends on who you know. Another big scam. Another big shame.

In rugby you see every year the Craven week rugby on national television. Where is soccer? Every time apartheid is to blame or the white minority is blamed. Stop blaming and do something. Why can’t it be fixed because the youth is crying for recognition. At Craven week it is only the elite of this country that is catered for and those in townships can drug their brains away.

Local township educators try their utmost to keep children busy and promis them that the world is their oyster but with no exposure or chance to reach the highest level it is but just a dream.

These educators are doing all of this for the love of it and to keep children off the streets. So it is teaching the whole day and still have extra murals after school.

PETER HENDRICKS | Hanover Park