TOUCHLINE has learned with sadness that two amateur soccer players became just another statistic when they died at a party recently. This is disturbing news.

I was speechless when I received the news from one of the coaches on Sunday that those boys used to play for a Sharpeville team.

This means that some of the teams didn’t honour their junior league fixtures because their players went to this party!

In this case TOUCHLINE doesn’t know who to blame: these boys, their parents or their coaches?

The fact of the matter is that, one way or the other, these youngsters were supposed to be playing soccer on this fateful day, but opted to go to a party instead. It is the responsibility of all those involved in developmental football to introduce life skills to our teams, whether you facilitate a development group or an academy, to avoid such things.

It is also a fact that our young people are under tremendous pressure to satisfy their friends, girlfriends and they end up finding themselves in this kind of situation.

With many of the parties in this region, either celebrating the onset of spring or the festive season, something must be done to prevent this from happening again.

Parents, coaches and the community must come up with measures to prevent this: NEVER AGAIN!

The truth of the matter is that our young people need us.

They need our guidance and advice.

TOUCHLINE challenges the Sedibeng community to join hands to save our young people, especially those who have the potential to become superstars in their respective sporting codes.

If we don’t act now our talent will perish.

As they say, enough is enough, this must come to an end.

TOUCHLINE’s message to those who organise these parties, festivals or beach parties: please bear in mind the safety of our children.

Do something to protect our talent.