SEDIBENG.- Lekoa Athletics founder Sandile Ncala believes something urgent must be done to save the future of sports in the community.

Ncala’s concern was the number of athletes who turned up for the annual cross-country race at George Thabe Stadium recently. The majority of runners were from the nearby white community. They outnumbered the athletes from the townships. This even though the cross-country meet was held in the township.

Ncala said it was embarrassing to see the parents of the white athletes in big numbers compared to the families of local athletes.

He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that this situation needs serious attention, because it has been going on for quite some time. He said parents from the community show little support to their children when it comes to sports.

Sedibeng Ster Sport also witnessed this situation with athletes from the white community outnumbering the local athletes, including their parents.

“I’ve been saying this for the past 10 years that black parents show no interest in their children’s sporting events. The only thing they don’t know is that sports play an important role in children’s upbringing. In most cases, you will hear parents discouraging their children from participating in sports, telling them about education.

“Education and sports are going hand-in-hand, in case they are not aware. I know many former athletes who are now successful in different fields. I challenge parents in our community to start taking their children’s participation in sports seriously and give them the necessary support.

“But having said this, those parents from the black community who support their children in sport must keep up the good work.  I do not doubt that one day our situation will change for the better,” said Ncala.

To date, Ncala is one of the people who have been involved in athletics for a long time.