Ntuthuko Maphumulo baseball
Having your child represent South Africa in a sport is a source of great pride to a parent but it can also come at a high price.
The South African under-16 baseball team will be competing against the best in the world at the world youth championship in Mexico in August. The 18 youngsters who will represent the country in this tournament will have to cough up R9 000 each or their parents will by the end of the month and also buy themselves the uniforms and equipment needed to take part.
The junior baseball team has no sponsorship and survives on financial assistance from the National Olympic Committee of South Africa, an annual grant from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation and the goodwill of parents who foot the bill week in and week out to get their youngsters on to the field with the right equipment and clothing.
The under-16 team qualified to represent the continent last year in September when they won the African baseball and softball championships held in Krugersdorp. This will be the first time that an African country competes in the junior world championship.
The South African team will be competing against Australia, China, Cuba, Italy, Mexico and the United States. The current world youth champions are Korea.
Despite the lack of funds the South African Baseball Union has introduced the sport to 800 primary schools in the country and is developing it in rural areas. Edwin Bennett, executive director of South African baseball union, said: “The schools’ league is unearthing young players who are eager to compete for a place in the youth team.” He said this programme to develop the sport in disadvantaged areas is paying off.
These youngsters are seen as the future players who will participate in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. The senior squad will participate in the World Cup in November in Taiwan.
The players who will be representing the country in Mexico spend most of their time playing the sport, and to participate in such a tournament is a dream come true for them.
But the lack of funds could ensure no squad can afford to travel to such international events as parents are finding it tough to meet the financial demands.
ENDS