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In this weeka��s edition we carry an article aboutA� former World Boxing Association Pan-African champion Thamsanqa DubeA� who after hitting hard times a�� has found employment as the leader of a group of bouncers hired by public transport operators on the Pumula-City centre route in Bulawayo.
His job has to do with weeding out illegal transport operators that try and cash in on the route obviously depriving registered operators of fares from the commuting public.
Dube despises being called a tout.
During his heydays he was a renowned boxer who beat the lights out of his opponents. We might not be privy to the exact amounts he made during his days but suffice to say he was gainfully employed and just like any other working adult he should have had a fall back plan.
Whether bouts are now hard to come by or the boxer has reached his sell by date, the fact remains he has no choice but to find a source of income to feed his family.
It has been said time and again by social commentators, investment gurus and former sports personalities that the current crop of athletes must invest wisely to guarantee a comfortable life after retirement or even in the worst case scenario of a career ending abruptly through injury.
Combat sports such as boxing as well as contact sports codes that include rugby and football expose athletes to everyday risks.
Dube is not an isolated case of former sportspersons that have hit hard times.
Former Warriors defender Zvenyika Makonese is no stranger to newspaper headlines a�� albeit for the wrong reasons a�� for either nicking a cellphone from a passenger in a bus where he was a tout or stealing goods from unsuspecting passengers.
Former AmaZulu player David Mkandawire was reported to be roaming the streets of Johannesburg after falling on hard times.
The list is endless.
Sports personalities should learn the value of investing while their bank accounts still make the ordinary man green with envy.
The onus also lies on our sports administrators to enlist the services of financial advisors to speak to sportspersons in the different sporting disciplines to think long term and secure their future when old age comes knocking or the unthinkable happens.
Sports is a short career and the only way to guarantee life after retirement is investment.
Investment options are wide and vast, all it takes is the will power by our sports personalities to put an end to a life of poverty at the end of their careers.
Online Reporter