An 11-year-old boy from Alexandra has drowned in Palestine while on a soccer tour with other young promising players from South Africa, according to reports.
Kabelo Masalesa drowned on Saturday night, but his body was found on Sunday and his family was informed about the incident on the same day.
The department of sport, arts and culture (DSAC) and the Gauteng department of sport, arts, culture and recreation (GDSACR) have expressed their sadness over the passion of the 11-year-old boy from Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.
Masalesa’s team is one of two young footballs teams from Alexandra and Cape Town that are competing in a tournament in Palestine. Eighteen young players and 10 support staff left for the tournament last week and expected to return on Thursday (today).
The national and provincial departments, with the Palestinian authorities are gathering details around the incident.
“In so far as ascertaining specific details about what occurred, officials of DSAC and GDSACR, as well as the high commission of SA in both Jordan and Palestine, have been on the ground engaging the relevant Palestinian authorities who will facilitate the provision of a report about the incident,” the said in a statement.
Senior officials met with the family of the deceased and initiated interventions to ensure that the young promising star receives a decent send off and provide the family with the necessary support.
“To this extent, through support from the departments of international relations and co-operation and home affairs, family members are supported to travel to Palestine and secure the return of Kabelo to SA.”
His uncle Alfred Mamabolo said, while the family was devastated over the loss of their loved one, they did not blame anyone as this was an accident.
Source: News24, Times Live, Sowetan Live, image from Times Live: Supplied