SERIOUS efforts are being made to revive basketball in Soweto.
SERIOUS efforts are being made to revive basketball in Soweto.
Jackie Masenya, one of the founding members of the sport in the township, says the once-thriving sport has been in decline for some time now but a lot of work is being done to try to resurrect it in Soweto.
"I always get upset when I drive around Soweto to see basketball courts empty.
"The only township where I saw youngsters playing was Diepkloof and it was disappointing that a place as big as Soweto had empty courts with nobody playing," Masenya said.
But he believes that the situation is about to change and that basketball will once again become a popular sport in Soweto.
"We are going to have a tournament on December 12 and 13 at Elkah Stadium in Rockville," Masenya said yesterday.
"Our aim is to start a strong basketball league, which will see all Soweto townships having a club."
Basketball South Africa national administrator Tsepo Nyewe said they would not be able to assist with the tournament.
"I have just got a tax clearance after two years because Gauteng basketball could not account for the money they had been given by the national lottery," Nyewe said.
"But I would advise them to go to the City of Joburg as I'm sure they would be able to help them."
Bid to revive Soweto hoops
SERIOUS efforts are being made to revive basketball in Soweto.
SERIOUS efforts are being made to revive basketball in Soweto.
Jackie Masenya, one of the founding members of the sport in the township, says the once-thriving sport has been in decline for some time now but a lot of work is being done to try to resurrect it in Soweto.
"I always get upset when I drive around Soweto to see basketball courts empty.
"The only township where I saw youngsters playing was Diepkloof and it was disappointing that a place as big as Soweto had empty courts with nobody playing," Masenya said.
But he believes that the situation is about to change and that basketball will once again become a popular sport in Soweto.
"We are going to have a tournament on December 12 and 13 at Elkah Stadium in Rockville," Masenya said yesterday.
"Our aim is to start a strong basketball league, which will see all Soweto townships having a club."
Basketball South Africa national administrator Tsepo Nyewe said they would not be able to assist with the tournament.
"I have just got a tax clearance after two years because Gauteng basketball could not account for the money they had been given by the national lottery," Nyewe said.
"But I would advise them to go to the City of Joburg as I'm sure they would be able to help them."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos