The U13 netball team of Mjelweni Junior Secondary School in Ntabankulu is at risk of not taking part in the national primary schools netball championships in Cape Town next month although they have qualified.
Despite being reigning Eastern Cape champions in this age group, they come from a disadvantaged background and will have to fund the trip to Cape Town from their own pockets with money they do not have.
This is the same group that missed out on participation in the same competition last year when they were EC U12 champions due to their protracted financial plight.
Failure to take part in the national event after conquering the province two years in succession, the country runs a risk of losing such talent to the sporting wilderness.
Something that would be disastrous to say the least, especially for the transformation agenda, with netball among the codes in which transformation is still lagging behind.
Just two months ago, netball was among four sporting codes banned indefinitely from bidding for or hosting major international tournaments by Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula due to lack of transformation.
“We have revoked ASA (Athletics SA), CSA (Cricket SA), Netball and Saru’s (SA Rugby) right to host international tournaments for failing to meet agreed transformation targets,” said Mbalula two months ago.
Furthermore, it has almost become a song for the sport powers that be to emphasise that it is through the strengthening of sport at school level that transformation will be realised.
However, it appears this dream is far from being realised if excelling schools such Mjelweni JSS cannot participate in a national tournament they have qualified for due to lack of funds.
This flies in the face of the sport-focused schools programme spear-headed by the department of sport.
Lindiwe Sikhisazana, the coach of the Mjelweni JSS U13 netball team, said not taking part in this year’s event could well force these upcoming netball stars to throw in the towel.
“Here we are talking about a talented bunch of players who against all odds have conquered the province two years in a row,” she said.
“They love the sport because for some of them it may in the future be the only way to escape poverty, but because of their current socio-economic background, they are unable to fulfil their potential by testing themselves on the national stage, which would be a plus for exposure.”
According to Sikhisazana, her charges are so discouraged that they are already flirting with the idea of quitting the sport.
“My biggest worry is that if that happens they will have nothing to do because this is a village that is underdeveloped, with high unemployment rate and high levels of illiteracy,” she said.
Sikhisazana said attempts to get funding drew a blank.
The school could not foot the bill as it was struggling financially.
She also emphasised that it was not cash that they were interested in but good Samaritans to assist with whatever they can so the young ones to get to the national champs and do what they do best – winning. Assistance required includes playing gear, transportation and accommodation for the event that is due to take place from July 29 until August 1 in the Mother City. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Lack of funds is a big concern
Despite being reigning Eastern Cape champions in this age group, they come from a disadvantaged background and will have to fund the trip to Cape Town from their own pockets with money they do not have.
This is the same group that missed out on participation in the same competition last year when they were EC U12 champions due to their protracted financial plight.
Failure to take part in the national event after conquering the province two years in succession, the country runs a risk of losing such talent to the sporting wilderness.
Something that would be disastrous to say the least, especially for the transformation agenda, with netball among the codes in which transformation is still lagging behind.
Just two months ago, netball was among four sporting codes banned indefinitely from bidding for or hosting major international tournaments by Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula due to lack of transformation.
“We have revoked ASA (Athletics SA), CSA (Cricket SA), Netball and Saru’s (SA Rugby) right to host international tournaments for failing to meet agreed transformation targets,” said Mbalula two months ago.
Furthermore, it has almost become a song for the sport powers that be to emphasise that it is through the strengthening of sport at school level that transformation will be realised.
However, it appears this dream is far from being realised if excelling schools such Mjelweni JSS cannot participate in a national tournament they have qualified for due to lack of funds.
This flies in the face of the sport-focused schools programme spear-headed by the department of sport.
Lindiwe Sikhisazana, the coach of the Mjelweni JSS U13 netball team, said not taking part in this year’s event could well force these upcoming netball stars to throw in the towel.
“Here we are talking about a talented bunch of players who against all odds have conquered the province two years in a row,” she said.
“They love the sport because for some of them it may in the future be the only way to escape poverty, but because of their current socio-economic background, they are unable to fulfil their potential by testing themselves on the national stage, which would be a plus for exposure.”
According to Sikhisazana, her charges are so discouraged that they are already flirting with the idea of quitting the sport.
“My biggest worry is that if that happens they will have nothing to do because this is a village that is underdeveloped, with high unemployment rate and high levels of illiteracy,” she said.
Sikhisazana said attempts to get funding drew a blank.
The school could not foot the bill as it was struggling financially.
She also emphasised that it was not cash that they were interested in but good Samaritans to assist with whatever they can so the young ones to get to the national champs and do what they do best – winning. Assistance required includes playing gear, transportation and accommodation for the event that is due to take place from July 29 until August 1 in the Mother City. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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