Pictured at the back from left are Collegians Rugby Football Club executive committee members Walied Meyer, Faseegh Greighton and Zaaid Galant. In front are Mogamat Sylvester, treasurer Shanaaz Narker, vice-president Riedewaan Narker, councillor for Ward 76 Avron Plaatjies, club president Shamila Sulayman and secretary Shufida Manuel. Not pictured is club junior convenor, Ganief Adams.
A Lentegeur rugby club is grateful for getting a R200 000 donation from Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Saturday, June 29.
Collegians Rugby Football Club, hailing from District Six 48 years ago, has been working with the City of Cape Town to secure and maintain the Lentegeur sports field over the last three years.
The Lentegeur sports field recently received a makeover after being run down by vandalism, drought, land invasions and other crimes taking place there (“Lentegeur sports field gets revamp”, Plainsman, May 1).
President Shamila Sulayman told the Plainsman they were grateful and honoured by the donation.
She chronicled the demise of the field having started in 2016 with the severe drought.
Covid-19 and national lockdown restrictions followed in 2020, during which the field was abandoned, vandalised and not maintained.
On the club’s return three years ago it was not playable and Ms Sulayman said they still cannot practise there. They still play every match away from home.
This has cost the club, its supporters and spectators a pretty penny as they have had to cover huge transport costs.
Ms Sulayman said the club has not had a principal sponsor for the last 12 years.
“The funds received will be spent on the club, as a community club there are operational running costs. Part of the funds will be used to transport our juniors to matches - weekly bus hiring costs, taxi fees. We would like to use some money for equipment, balls, tackle, fitness and conditioning equipment,” she said.
Their junior players have had the same kit for the last nine years.
“We are looking at kitting some junior players. They really deserve it. We are truly grateful for this,” said Ms Sulayman.
Councillor for Ward 76 Avron Plaatjies told the Plainsman he wrote a heartfelt motivational letter to Mr Hill-Lewis.
“This contribution is a significant milestone for the club and the community it serves,” he said.
He said the club had made a profound impact on players from across the Cape Flats.
“Despite the adversity of vandalism and land invasion, we remained steadfast in our efforts to rebuild our beloved Griefgat, also known as the Lentegeur sports ground,” said Mr Plaatjies.
He said the mayor’s donation solidified the municipality’s dedication to youth development, providing youth with positive alternatives to the social ills in Mitchell’s Plain.
Ms Sulayman said it was important to get youth involved and to keep them in sport.
She said lessons were learned both on and off the field, including sportsmanship, to loose graciously, to be humble, to face opponents with respect.
The club hosts social responsibility programmes, which include players learning to share and serve their community.
“It gives players an opportunity to shine on and off the field. We would like to see players, from Lentegeur and the broader Mitchell’s Plain, to be selected for provincial honours. For our children, for our future. Our children are the flowers of the future and reasons for our struggles. We want to continue that legacy for this generation and generations to come,” she said.