Opinion: The dangers of foreign football trials: A wake-up call for South African parents

Let me boldly start by saying that parents are failing their children. If I had the time and resources, I would write a weekly piece about parenting.

However, as today's parents, we must acknowledge our shortcomings: we are often ignorant. We are a generation that loves shortcuts and tends to invest in foreign opportunities rather than in our own people.

We place too much trust in foreign concepts. With the numerous scams prevalent in our country, we must pause and ask ourselves, are our children going to succeed where we send them?

As an adult who grew up in a rural village in the independent state of Ciskei and experienced poverty under strict security measures, I still believe I was raised in better times, where material possessions did not hold much value.

My parents, though poor, were wise and could sense danger from afar. Here, I am not only referring to my biological parents but to the village community as a whole. The old adage, "it takes a village to raise a child," was genuinely applicable.

During my youth, we were constantly reminded of our beauty and worth. This affirmation stemmed from the reality of our circumstances. When my parents could not afford something I asked for, their first words were, "You know, my dear, that mummy loves you."

This would signal that I would not receive what I had requested. We complied, and here we are today. While we may not be millionaires, we can take care of ourselves.

However, despite these reflections, we must confront the fact that we are often bad parents. We are parents who give everything to our children. While providing for a child is not inherently wrong, especially when one can afford it, the question remains: to what extent?

Recently, there have been alarming reports about our youngsters stranded abroad in Spain. They went there to play football but were left in a precarious situation by those who brought them. This incident has caused great pain across our nation and is something no one would wish to experience.

Many parents who spoke to the media claimed they were misled by the owner of BT Football, Brandon Timmy. The term "misled" brings to mind the issue of scams.

How many times have we been warned about scams? Should we solely blame BT Football? As someone involved in football, I have witnessed numerous scams where individuals promise our children trials in Europe. Scammers masquerade as coaches, scouts, and even team owners, demanding fees ranging from R35 000 to R50 000. Parents often pay these amounts in the hope of seeing their children play for European teams.

What has happened to our instincts? Have we become so complacent that we ignore the warning signs? Why are we not more cautious in a world filled with scammers?

We know how to score our own goals, yet many parents of aspiring soccer players exhibit a determination and eagerness to see their children play for prestigious clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Manchester City. They are willing to pay exorbitant fees to send their children abroad but hesitate to invest in local teams.

Local amateur teams struggle with basic necessities such as balls, cones, and bibs, yet parents often refuse to contribute. Why not invest in these teams to help produce better players for our own Premier Soccer League?

Without intending to offend wealthy parents or those who borrow money to send their children abroad, we must take our responsibilities seriously.

We need to support local teams and assist coaches so they can nurture our children’s talents. The so-called scouts often have their own interests at heart, not those of your child. They are merely after money.

No parent wants to see their child suffer or miss out on opportunities. However, in today's world, we must remain vigilant. We need to pause and think critically about our decisions for ourselves and our children.

The BT Football incident should serve as a lesson for all of us. Unfortunately, as South Africans, we have a short memory. It won’t be long before another similar story emerges.

In conclusion, let us acknowledge the spirit of Ubuntu. South Africans united to bring the children stranded in Spain back home, demonstrating the kind of unity we wish to see everywhere. May we remain vigilant and protect our children from exploitation and human traffickers.