Control your drinking habits, soccer players urged
In the wake of professional footballer Jeffrey Ntuka's death, emerging players have been warned about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
Say no to alcohol: Hareaipha 'Simba' Marumo PHOTO: VELI NHLAPO
Ntuka, once on the books of Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United, was murdered in Kroonstad, Free State, last Saturday after allegedly getting into an argument with tavern patrons.
Alcohol beverage company Brandhouse and the South African Footballers Union last year launched an initiative called DrinkIQ, with the aim of encouraging footballers to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Hareaipha "Simba" Marumo yesterday addressed players from various clubs about the effects excessive drinking could have on their careers.
He later told Sowetan that the aim was not to stop players from drinking, but rather to control it.
"The sad reality is that in our country we abuse alcohol. They (players) are a reflection of our communities, same as rugby players. So if you see them drinking a lot it tells you a lot about where they come from," Marumo said.
The only means to curb the problem, Marumo stressed, was to speak to youngsters.
"It is no use speaking to them when they are in their mid-20s because that is too late. When they are young, they are most likely to listen to you than when they are older.
"It is sad to see players' promising careers being destroyed by alcohol."
Try as they might, though, former stars cannot always reach the current generation.
"When you speak to them, they genuinely listen to you. But as soon as their friends come around all of that goes out the window. One discussion is not going to change a lifetime habit," Marumo said.
About Ntuka's death Marumo said: "It is very sad because he was such a good player. I didn't know him that well, but he seemed like a good bloke."
Mosquer
Ba tlaletša ke tšhelete ye ba ba fago yona. R500k per month?? Motho ga a tsebe gore o swanetše a direng ka yonaReport Abuse
swona
Mr Marumo, can you please convey this msg to Lerato Chabangu? we know its off seasons, the boy needs to look after himself, drinking is ok but one must have reasonable limits!Report Abuse
Papage
It is sad, but we have been preaching this for years and our so called players don't listen and they don't care. It is fine, let's us go bury him and life must go on, we are still going to bury more of our youngstars anyway, because they dont listen to us. I just feel sorry for parents who can not affort funeral policies, but those who could please insure your children so that their death must not burden you. I am tired of talking, i am going to shut up and just watch them fade away, because it seems they prefer to die that way. I so wish the family can release him to go rest, there is no more alcohol drinking in the death, you just sleep there and get roten.Report Abuse
Shredder
When you speak to them, they genuinely listen to you. But as soon as their friends come around all of that goes out the window. One discussion is not going to change a lifetime habit," Marumo said.==================================================================================
I know what you are talking about Simba. I know some people closer to me who are like that. They only listen so that you can get off their backs.
Simba, morena wa diseneke
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imthegreatest
marumo tell them to go to school so that they must not be a dropout like uReport Abuse
wesbuw22
HU cares? This ppl le salebala some dnt hve matrics so they dnt knw wt they doing and ditlamorago tsa tengReport Abuse
TDK
@Tpaz. I don't know but it emerged at the time of HF Verwoerd. I understand Verwoerd was in the lead to allow Blacks to drink alcohol at the time they were not allowed to. He knew the effects of alcohol on unintelligent people at the time.Report Abuse
Tikoloshe
.......why can we be at the top of the world in cricket and rugby and not even qualify for the African Cup of Nations????Please can someone explain this? We need to fast track the citizenship of our African soccer playing brothers and bring them into our National team because the local bunch of Mzansi men can't even beat a local high school side.....as soon as they become successful they become PUZA,BEBA,LALAS!!!!!!
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