Breederivier
Year 18 • 4 Maart 2014 | Tel. 023 626 5212
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Soccer fields still in a terrible condition
More than a year after some R150 000 had been allocated to improve the sports fields in Nkqubela the soccer fields are still in a terrible condition. HILDERINE SCHRÖDER More than a year after the Langeberg Municipality announced that the Nkqubela sports grounds will receive a much needed upgrade, not much has come of the proposed plans. The Gazette reported in October 2012 the municipality had made provision for R150 000 which was meant to be put toward the planting of grass
and provision of irrigation. At the time the three fields were little more than dust plains. However, upon a recent visit to the fields, the Gazette found that the situation had not changed much. The fields are no more than dust fields and, when wet, become a slippery hazard. Some 11 soccer teams make use of the fields, according to a Nkqubela resident who has spoken to the Gazette on condition of anonymity. However, these teams can no longer
compete in the South African Football Association league since they do not have a suitable home pitch on which they can play their matches. The state of the fields has had a tremendously negative impact on the various clubs in Nkqubela, the Gazette’s source revealed. “Players have suffered major injuries and the dust is very bad for their eyes.” Although the municipality did plant grass after announcing the upgrade, it didn’t even last a month, he says.
Training is further hindered by the fact that fields have no soccer goal posts but rugby posts instead. There are no rugby teams in Nkqubela, the Gazette’s source says. “The rugby posts are white elephants.” Currently, he adds, teams have no other choice but to rent the Callie de Wet sports grounds with great expense to the clubs. “This also means spectators have to cross a very busy road in order to reach the sports grounds to go watch the match. It is
PHOTO: HILDERINE SCHRÖDER
very dangerous for them to do so.” Teams have approached the municipality on numerous occasions for answers, the Gazette’s source states, but they have not received any answers. When approached for comment by the Gazette the municipality responded stating the matter is currently sub judice and that other processes are under way. It did not elaborate on the judicial nature of the matter.