Low attendance, a kick in the face

Add as a preferred source on Google

Alex residents have been urged to use sport as a mechanism for social cohesion and to exploit the various codes as gainful professions.

This was said by football authorities of the Alex North Rand Local Football Association at a poorly attended sports indaba, which was intended to expose residents to the successes and challenges inhibiting progress, particularly in football.

The few residents who attended at Sankopano Community Centre were joined by local grandees of the game, association executives, local referees, coaches and some City of Joburg sports officials.

Expressing concern on the low turn-out, association chairperson Maisha Molepo said the residents would have been informed on the association’s constitution, how the sport was administered, how their contributions and subscriptions paid for their children’s involvement are used, and how the many, multi-age and -gender teams were performing in competition, regardless of limited resources.

“Also, it would have assisted to dispel rumours and allegations of corruption allegedly committed by the officials who instead, sometimes are forced to make personal contributions to keep the association, an NPO, and the sport afloat,” he said.

Read: Zenzeleni Primary School embarrasses Alex schools football

He stressed that residents need to be motivated to participate in general meetings as sport keeps their children away from danger and anti-social activities. “Many have benefitted from it as professional soccer players, coaches, administrators and referees of note, locally and internationally,” he said, urging local businesses to also participate and, the local authority to honour promised resource injections for its development.

Accounting on the progress and constraints, association secretary Mafika Morajane said the residents’ disinterest contributed to the sport’s decline. “They don’t even know the association’s executive members and should be reminded of their joint role with the association in nurturing their children through the sport’s development programmes including at schools,” Morajane said.

The association has a current membership of 4 000 which he said has the potential to increase given the township’s population size and a few other sporting codes available in the area. “Their support in whatever way will complement the association’s meagre resource base mainly from the clubs’ annual registration fees of R250 for each of the 13- to20-year-old age group teams, R20 per player registration and, R2 000 registration for the senior teams. “All of it is used for medals, trophies, prizegivings, travel and to pay R100 to the referees per match.”

Mafika urged corporates, City Council, government and Safa to assist with sponsorship, maintenance and upgrading the sport’s facilities which have poor grass and appalling seating areas. “Good fields will attract professional teams and help us raise revenue. We also need additional facilities for the size of our population.”

He decried Safa’s failure to disburse grants promised from the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

The association’s technical director Mxolisi Mngomezulu, who has a Caf (continental) coaching licence, urged residents to regard themselves as strategic stakeholders of the association together with the City Council, Safa, media and business in ensuring the sport’s sustainable development.

Residents missed out on getting to know about the growth and opportunities for their children through the sport, how to support them nutritionally and otherwise, and all important technical issues on football.

He said 30 locals are already qualified and accredited coaches who worked on a voluntary basis. “They need to be supported to retain their services. Parents and Council should ensure children access the grounds daily for practice and sustained skills development like in academies elsewhere.”

Read: Bluebirds player scares teammates after suspected elbowing and concussion

The Blue Birds Ladies’ coach, Malvin Khumalo outlined their commendable achievements including accolades and victories in provincial competitions, selection of some of the players to the national Banyana Banyana team, one of whom is now playing professionally in Germany and, the hosting of a regional competition with teams from Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

He urged parents to encourage their talented children to join the teams as a social protection measure against idleness and temptations and, to increase the pool of players in the township.

Details: admin.alexlfa@telkomsa.net; 011 882 0077

Share your view on how football is administered in Alex on the Alex News Facebook page