Various sportsmen and women used the energy and strength they are famous for when they participate in their sport to clean the community sports centre in Mohlakeng recently.

They did this as part of dedicating 67 minutes in commemoration of Mandela Day.

Doekies Mokaila, a local international netball player, who is also coach and coordinator at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) led the initiative from the front.

Doekies is one of the male netball players who has dispelled the notion of netball being a female sport only. He was also recently rated among the top 10 international players.

We did this out of concern. To see the facility in such a state breaks my heart.

“Criminals and drug abusers also use it as a hideout. We as participants in various sporting codes and choir members who use the centre wish to do our part,” said Doekies.

“We saw it fit to jump in and assist instead of waiting for either the municipality or the DSACR. Lots of work still needs to be done to repair the facility, and it has to come from both entities. We do use the facility for training at high-performance level in all the codes, and we follow the relevant Covid-19 protocols as required by the government.”

He hopes the sports centre can be restored to its former glory to the benefit of all.