Never promised a trip

DEAR reporter Thulani Gqirana, The Herald, the coach and parents of the 2013 street soccer champions,

While we completely respect the freedom of the press, we would like to relay our story to all involved in order to provide clarity. There seems to be some confusion as to the article, "Kids' Brazil dreams shattered" (June 20).

At no time whatsoever did the organisers confirm with the players, coaches, co-ordinators, LFA and media that the 2013 Street Soccer champions would be going to Brazil. This was discussed with all the participating team coaches and regional co-ordinators prior to the street soccer national finals.

We discussed in a meetingthat should the organisers source sponsorship that the winning team from last year's street soccer programme would be in line to attend this year's Fifa World Cup. This was the possibility, however at no time was it confirmed and it completely depended on securing the necessary funding.

We have been up-front with those involved and since the City Lads team won the street soccer national finals in Johannesburg in September last year, we have not received any correspondence from either the coach or parents to discuss this. The first we heard of this was the call from the journalist on Thursday.

We immediately contacted the New Brighton LFA, its executive and the street soccer regional co-ordinator, who all confirmed that they were made aware prior and post the final that there was no guarantee of a trip to Brazil as part of the prize. They said they would address the situation and call in the coach to discuss this and support our stance that this was never communicated.

We would love to have made the trip possible and we have worked hard on our side with respective stakeholders. However with no funding for the very project itself (street soccer did not take place this year), there was no chance that Brazil would materialise. With the work that Sporting Chance does and the incredible impact that the street soccer programme has made in 40 communities around South Africa working with 6000 children, our last intention, together with our sponsors, would be to have any children disappointed.

The Sporting Chance team