Ref urges parents to nurture children

Their talents should be identified from an early age

PREMIER Soccer League referee Kulasande Qongqo and South African Soccer Legends deputy president in the province Zamumzi Zitho have encouraged parents to support their children in their career choices.

Qongqo, who is also a First International Football Association referee, speaking at the Lons Day Care sports day organised by the Chris Hani Soccer Legends on Tuesday, urged parents to ensure that they nurtured their children’s talents and skills.

“There is a perception in the Eastern Cape that we can not do anything good and that all that is good only comes from Johannesburg. This province has produced leaders and intellectuals - why do we underestimate our capabilities?”

He urged parents to allow their children to pursue their preferred careers, making an example of his father who did not allow him to go to soccer matches when he was young.

“I would sneak out and go to the games. We want to see people like Zahara, Teko Modise, Oupa Manyisa and Simphiwe Tshabalala appearing from the ranks.”

He said he was volunteering to help anyone who needed advice and support in making such decisions.

Zitho said mentoring sessions were important to help children identify their talents from an early age.

“We will continue with this programme and make it sustainable. We will visit all day care centres and introduce this programme.”

A referees’ workshop was planned in Queenstown for the end of June.

South African National Civic Organisation Chris Hani regional secretary Mbuyiselo Ntsabo said the organisation supported the initiative and had communicated with the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture in a bid to promote similar initiatives.