Drug Free Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week

Close to 200 of the country’s top under-19 cricketers are in Cape Town this week for the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week and the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport are using the occasion to spread the word about the dangers of steroid abuse, and to encourage the players to sign the “I play fair pledge” that the Department of Sport and Recreation has implemented.

The institute’s education manager, Rafiek Mamon, explains that they will have a team going round  to all the grounds during the week to answer questions and to provide advice to players, coaches and parents.

Tomorrow (Friday) evening they will be speaking to all the players, in groups of four teams at a time, to make sure they have the relevant information about the risks they are taking.

“Our role here is primarily educational,” Mamon says. “We will not be testing players here, although the chances are that random testing will be implemented from next year. “We will be explaining the testing process to the players, so that they know what to expect should they be chosen to be tested in the future. We will also outline the procedure to be followed if a player uses a prohibited drug for medical reasons.”

Coca-Cola endorses this initiative:  “There are increasingly serious and complex global health issues that impact on the way in which we live our lives and on the sport field there is that ever increasing need to gain the competitive edge,” said Craig van Niekerk, Marketing Assets Manager, Coca-Cola South Africa.  “Through this initiative the focus is on fair play and sportsmanship which is the message that Coca-Cola promotes.  One of the key reasons for our continued support of the game at grass roots is to promote the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle among the youth.  This forms a big part of our Live for a Difference sustainability strategy”.

Tournament director Morgan Pillay says the presence of Drug-Free sport at the event is in line with the week’s role as an educational as well as a sporting event.

“We need to prepare the best of the players who are here for a future in professional cricket, and being aware of the dangers of abusing substances, and the consequences of being caught, are certainly part of that,” he says.

Coca Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, Day 1 Action, Easterns Batsman, Jurie Snyman

Coca Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, Day 1 Action, Easterns Batsman, Lesiba Ngoepe

Coca Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, Day 1 Action, Northerns Batsmen, Jean-Pierre Kok