YOUNG Bucks legend star player Sakhile Gongqoba decided to revive sport in the Veeplaas community that is characterised by high levels of poverty and drug abuse.
Gongqoba is one of the founding members of Young Bucks Football Club which was established in the shack area of Veeplaas in the 80s.
However, Gongqoba contributed tremendously for Bucks to collect silverware. Bucks was the only club in Port Elizabeth East Football Association to win many trophies in the past. Gongqoba was also one of the players that saw Young Bucks winning the SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Cup first tournament. As the time went on, he played a crucial role in establishing netball teams that also kept their side on the map.
As the many families were relocated to new area like Govan Mbeki and KwaNoxolo in early 90s, Bucks lost many players. Consequently, Bucks became dysfunctional. Gongqoba revealed to PE Express that some of youth abused drugs and committed crime.
“Things started to fall apart and the community members lived in fear because the youth robbed people and also mugged them in broad daylight. I told myself that I should make a change in my community. I held a meeting with my community members in January this year to urge them to help revive sport in the Veeplaas BF Area. Unfortunately I did not get enough support,” said Gongqoba.
“Through my efforts, we managed to form soccer and netball teams. Then in February this year, I bought a set of soccer kit that is used by our u/16 and soccer first teams as well as by our two netball teams. Be that as it may, life goes on. Our teams are very strong. Our situation does not deter us from achieving our dreams. Our soccer teams are affiliated to PEEFA. There are many that our club is short of as I run it alone.”
Gongqoba can be contacted on 082 801 9392 for more information.
