Standerton Tennis Club is at the mercy of vandals and thieves
Dr Batev is of the opinion that a committee with a chairman, secretary and treasurer, not necessarily sports people, will be able to channel the plight of the club onto a sound footing.
The dilapidated state of the Standerton Tennis Club has not put a damper on the enthusiasm of tennis players for a new initiative.
The club has been the target of more than one thieving incident, vandalism, a water leak, with players gamely playing their shots.
According to one of its regulars, Dr Nikola Batev, the membership of the club stood at about 280 some 30 years ago.
More than one tournament were hosted, which is in stark contrast to their suitability nowadays to present any competition.
Dr Batev listed some of the woes of the club, beginning with the vandalism involving broken windows, stolen toilet seats, electrical cables, sinks, DV-board and transformer, damaged fence, not to mention the racquets and balls that also fell by the wayside.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said.
“We are not clamouring for donations, but would like a tennis committee to be formed.
“We don’t want people to contribute towards a lost cause.”
Maintenance and security are top on the list.
At this stage, three meetings with a representative from the Lekwa Municipality, were attempted for a discussion on the way forward.
The quandary with Lekwa has been ongoing since the democratic dispensation and a letter was drafted in 2017, to have the municipality on board.
“We have tried to establish a meaningful relationship with a municipal officer,” he also said.
The question as to who takes responsibility for sport equipment in town, has not been answered.
Dr Batev is of the opinion that a committee with a chairman, secretary and treasurer, not necessarily sports people, will be able to channel the plight of the club onto a sound footing.
An annual general meeting and audited books are par for the course.
“The club was once respectable, as well as famous, and can be refurbished to meet the needs of the community.”
At present, players use four of the eight courts for the simple reason that a ball boy is needed to fetch and collect, due to the broken fence.
A security company will also be appointed once renovations are done and an entrance fee will follow.
He estimated that the club will be closed for a short time, two weeks probably, for resurfacing the courts and getting the netting in ship-shape condition.
Dr Batev indicated that a joint venture of partial funding by big business in Standerton such as Eskom, Seriti and Astral will be appreciated.
Other business owners’ collaboration will also be welcomed.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted via WhatsApp the communications manager of Lekwa, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, on Wednesday, February 2 to clarify whether the municipality would be prepared to work along with the club.
An enquiry was also lodged as to who takes responsibility for sporting equipment, as well as whether maintenance of sporting facilities is budgeted for.
