Sport committees need to unify goals

Henry ‘Shuzz’ Mwelase

The provision of sport and recreational services to Newcastle East communities has been neglected by the powers that be for the past 54 years.

Despite the lack of development, these communities have produced progressive sportsmen and women of high quality for generations.

What is common and visible within these communities, is the establishment and licensing of liquor outlets, attracting a great number of youth as consumers.

The common, causal factor is the lack of provision of sports and recreation facilities by the municipality, creating the impression that sport is not considered to be important.

Privately owned sporting facilities are expensive to use and cannot be afforded by most sporting clubs, unlike hiring or renting from the municipality.

Members of these communities need to roll up their sleeves, pull themselves together and speak in one voice to demand what is due to them as ratepayers and consumers of municipal services.

A unified sport structure will hold a better position to highlight:

· The lack of proper, playable sports fields;

· The lack of sports and recreational facilities and equipment;

· Promotion and development of common interest in sports and recreation;

· The pressing need to unite different sport codes under one umbrella body, to preserve their interests;

· To promote, protect and develop sport and sporting talent within communities;

· The lack of sport and recreation facilities monitoring, maintenance and upgrading;

· The marketing of sport and recreation events.

Standing in about and complaining about the unavailability of sport and recreational facilities and relevant equipment do not help, but add to discontent.

Members of the community need to wake up, stand up and demand these services.

The availability of both sporting and recreation facilities will speed up athletes’ development and exposure to the national sporting arenas.

It is imperative a culture of annual games or tournaments for sport and recreation, not for organised association structures only, is developed to help the overall community keep fit and celebrate life.