adminA SURGE in cases of alcoholism and drug abuse/peddling, involving top athletes in the country, represents a step backwards.
It’s sad because many look up to these sports personalities as role models and ambassadors.
Whatever is driving them to lose focus, by engaging in such activities, remains a cause for concern.
As a nation, we can’t afford to continue witnessing talent going down the drain due to alcoholism and drug abuse.
Despite the various campaigns meant to eradicate this cancer, we still have top athletes being caught off side.
Alcoholism and drug abuse have resulted in careers of top athletes ending prematurely.
This shocking trend should not be allowed to continue extending its grip on some of our best sportspersons.
We don’t want this to be something which becomes a big part of the story of our sporting landscape.
Sadly, these cases are prevalent among top athletes plying their trade in Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Many of these athletes being caught in this dark web are role models for many schoolboys who also dream of one day playing football in the domestic Premiership.
This shows we still have a long way to go as we continue losing fine talent to alcoholism.
Some of these top athletes, being caught offside, have represented the country at national level while others have had their careers ending prematurely.
There are some who have been jailed for drug dealing, an indication there could be more bad apples yet to be arrested.
In our issue yesterday, we carried a sad story of former Ngezi and Al Hilal player, Last Jesi, who is now battling drug abuse.
His coach at Bulawayo Chiefs, Lizwe Sweswe, believes the gritty midfielder desperately needs rehabilitation to fight the demons.
The only positive news so far is that his coach has realised one of the best solutions Jesi needs to correct his mistakes.
His wayward behaviour began at a crucial moment when Sweswe had just invested his trust in him despite concerns from others in domestic football.
It’s a betrayal, for the trust which the coach showed in him, which is totally unacceptable.
His case comes at a time when former CAPS United and Harare City captain Moses Muchenje is on the verge of making a return to football after rehabilitation.
The worst case about drugs, in terms of the domestic Premiership, involved former Harare City player, Jerry Chipangura, who was jailed for dealing in narcotics.
Chipangura has since started to revive his career at Yadah Stars, after rehabilitation, and appears to be on the right path now.
He has accepted his mistakes and asked to be given a chance to open a new phase in his life.
He deserves all the support he can get.
As role models, our players should lead by example and keep focused to avoid slipping into these dark corners.
We need to accept that we have a serious drugs problem in our Premiership and efforts should be made to address this.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter