SEDIBENG.- It’s disheartening to witness the transformation of community soccer grounds into dumping sites or community parks.
Many of our legacy soccer venues have suffered this fate, including the Zone 11 Stadium and Qhoweng Ground in Zone 13. TOUCHLINE can reveal that efforts are being made by Zone 11 community members, particularly former football players, to revive these neglected soccer grounds.
The decline of the Zone 11 Stadium is particularly distressing, as it once held cherished memories and served as a vibrant arena for teams like Real Sweepers FC, Bush Bucks, and Morning Stars FC, to name a few.
The venue was frequently packed to capacity by both community soccer teams and local schools such as Moqhaka Secondary School, Botebo-Tsebo Secondary School, Thuto-Lore Secondary School, and Maqeke Secondary School.
Regrettably, certain individuals within the same community have allowed the venue to deteriorate. TOUCHLINE observed that the once-thriving venue had devolved into a dumping site, and now, a community park. However, TOUCHLINE is aware of the efforts of former semi-professional players who aim to resurrect this once-significant soccer venue. In reality, our generation seems to disregard our heritage, legacy, and history.
Numerous community soccer grounds have fallen into disrepair due to neglect from the very communities they once served. Some of these grounds have even been repurposed as churches, tuck-shops, or shacks, further erasing their historical significance.
The truth remains that we have abandoned our own history!
TOUCHLINE challenges former soccer players to take a stand and protect our football legacy, especially the few remaining soccer grounds in our communities. We must not allow our history to be disregarded so easily. As a community, it’s our responsibility to safeguard our legacy, particularly for those who understand the significance of our shared black community history.
Football played a pivotal role in our struggle for freedom, and by neglecting these community soccer grounds, we fail to honour the development of our football and its historical importance.
My question is why?
