Parents of SA athletes stuck in Portugal growing more anxious
The team and their coaches have until midday on Monday to check out as families scramble to cover the additional costs incurred on the trip when the organisers failed to book return flights after spending a week in Spain competing at an annual soccer tournament.
Picture: Pixabay.com
CAPE TOWN - The parents of a South African team of young athletes stuck in Portugal are growing more anxious by the hour amid fears they will be booted from their accommodation after a dream sports trip turned into a nightmare.
The team and their coaches have until midday on Monday to check out as families scramble to cover the additional costs incurred on the trip when the organisers failed to book return flights after spending a week in Spain competing at an annual soccer tournament.
Nine players and one coach have since returned, but more than a dozen other young boys and girls remain stranded in Lisbon.
One of the coaches working for the organisers, Jayvin Chisholm, said many of the coaches are furious with the top management of BT Academy, which admitted in a letter calling for donations that the funds paid by the players had fallen short of covering the estimated cost of the trip.
“He’s just trying to keep afloat with the coaches that are willing to even speak to him at this moment being myself and coach Clayton because the other coaches, they won't speak to him at all because they are just so furious about the whole situation.”
One parent whose daughter is still in Portugal said they have not received any communication from the owner.
“As days are going, then she said they are changing, they moved from Santa Basia, they going to Madrid, where they got another accommodation. There they spent two nights there and then last night around past ten, they have to drive from Madrid to Lisbon airport.”
DIRCO unable to assist
The Department of International Relations (DIRCO) said it is unable to assist a team of young South African soccer players stranded in Portugal.
In a written response to EWN, DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri has described the incident as unfortunate, urging the general public to assist if they have the financial means to.
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture in the Western Cape said it's aware of the issue and has escalated the issue to national.
"We are in constant communication with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the young players can return home safely," said department spokesperson Tania Colyn.
The organisers have not responded to EWN's request for comment after several attempts.