Pacers mentor Phetolo Mahana says he is frustrated is his young charges are not given ample time to train with selections looming.
Moyahabo Mabeba
When the unquestionable significance of education always takes precedence constantly at the expense of school sports, the end of athleticism at school level is unfortunately inevitable.
This is the view of Solomondale-based basketball coach as he stares at the season of discontent facing his home team, Pacers.
Phetolo Mahana finds himself embroiled in a bitter psychological war with some of the teachers responsible for the education of his players. Mahana says his is always at loggerheads with teachers at Solomondale Primary and Baphutheng Secondary Schools over the allocation of training time.
In a very dejected tone, sunglasses on his pitch dark face, he said, “It is very difficult to get access to these schoolchildren to make them play basketball. The relationship between me and their teachers is very sour. While I understand that education should be prioritised over sports sometimes, I cannot see the reason why they cannot afford them a few hours of basketball practice. This is very frustrating on part, especially aware of the fact that these youngsters are hugely talented in the game.”
The two schools boast some of the most talented basketball youngsters of the modern game in the age groups of 14, 16, 18 and 20.
They are scheduled for selection processes in their respective age groups under the auspices of Limpopo Basketball Association, but there is no glimmer of hope for the brilliant overachievers.
Last year, they acquitted themselves exceptionally well, winning tournament after tournament.
For the record: they are the reigning Youth Tournament which they won with youthful exuberance and attention to details.
But after a truly phenomenal season, it comes down to end with a bruising spell in which reputations are diminished and the sporting future of the players comes into focus as imperfect and uncertain.
Would it be neither here nor there to suggest that school sport is teetering on the brink of collapse as a result of teachers who cannot juggle with tuition and sports?
One of the teachers at Baphuteng, who spoke anonymously in hushed tones for fear of victimisation said, “We are divided over the matter… Some of us who are former players in respective codes are pushing for a schedule that would cater for sport but those who see sport as a pastime are less interested.”
Indeed, dark clouds hover heavily over the future of Solomondale basketball and if those at the upper echelons in government do not intervene immediately, Mahana, who is far from being a magician, will never fix this mess created by unsporting teachers.