The Tokologo Local Municipality hopes the rebuilding of the Boshof sport complex will help take the local youth off the streets and help them lead positive lives.

The municipality’s mayor, Kegomoditswe Mokhobo, is adamant that the re-building of a sport complex in the township of Seretse will contribute to the reduction of crime and reduce the local youth’s exposure to drug and alcohol abuse.

The struggling municipality received a R10.1-million funding from Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to renovate the complex. Mokhobo said construction will commence soon.

During her visit to the dilapidated stadium this week, Mokhobo said the assessment of the scope of work to be done has been completed and building plans have been approved. A contractor will be appointed soon to commence with the project.

“We will soon appoint a contractor that will be able to do what we want with this field. I have realised that since our stadium got vandalised by strong winds in 2009 it is no more playable. It left our youth with nowhere to play and keep themselves busy.

“We no longer have any sport facility in the area hence I saw a need to upgrade this one that we have. This project is anticipated to take 12 months from the date of appointment of the contractor,” said Mokhobo.

The new revamped stadium will have tennis courts, a netball field, an athletics track and a soccer field.

During her arrival, Mokhobo met with a group of young kids aged between seven and 11 in the dusty and gravel stadium, playing soccer on bare foot.

“This is one of the reasons why we had to insure that this complex is renovated. It is dangerous for these kids to play in such terrible conditions without even shoes on their foot. They risk many injuries by playing in this ground.”

She added that parents need to encourage their children to participate in sports and utilise the revamped sport complex.

“People should understand that these facilities will be built for them and is not for the municipality, they have to make use of them appropriately and take care of them instead of destroying what belongs to them.”

Seretse is a small township within the municipality with no sport complex or place where youth can play any sport.

Nicco Morolong said they have been using the ransacked sport complex out of desperation. He thanked the mayor for her commitment to ensure that local youth participate in sport.

“Most of us are now reluctant to play football no matter how much we love it due to the state of our field. We will be happy if the mayor fulfil her promise and ensure that the contractor starts with the renovation of this stadium so that we can enjoy football too,” said Morolong.