The organisers of the DFL Indian Premier League have launched one of the largest community programmes in South Africa by a sport organisation, committing more than R8 million to scholarship programmes around the country.
The tournament’s Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi announced the programme last week at a special event at Alexander Sinton High School in Athlone, Cape Town.
The school became the first beneficiary of the Help Educate And Teach (HEAT) programme when headmaster Faziel Parker officially received R100 000 paid into a dedicated scholarship fund at the school.
In the first part of the HEAT programme, a total of 32 schools in South Africa will each receive R100 000, paid directly into a scholarship bank account in the school’s name. Parents and school governing bodies will be encouraged to participate in decisions on how to allocate scholarships.
The second part of the HEAT programme will benefit individual learners attending DFL IPL matches. Five learners will be identified at every match and will each have R15 000 paid into their school fees account in their names.
“It is well known that many parents struggle with school fees while striving to ensure that their children stay in school and get a good education. We hope the HEAT programme will make a real difference in the lives of those who benefit from it,” said Modi.
Speaking at the HEAT launch event at Alexander Sinton High School last week Modi told the learners that a good education remains at the heart of any effort to develop and uplift individuals and nations.
“Talented sports people can become big stars, but without a good education there is something missing from sporting achievement. And for those of us not blessed with outstanding sporting talent, our futures are built on ensuring that we stay in school and equip ourselves for a productive and successful life,” he said.
Modi’s views were backed up by launch hosts Francois Pienaar and India cricket legend Ravi Shastri. Pienaar told the learners: “No matter what you choose to do in your life, the educational achievements you make now will always play the critical role in your life.
“All of us who have been involved in sport at the highest levels know very well that there is always life after sport, and you have to have a solid education to continue productively when the sporting career is over.”
Modi also said that the HEAT programme would signify the IPL’s thanks to South Africa for hosting the event. “The management and owners of the IPL franchises wanted to ‘Leave a Glow’ as a real and meaningful token of our immense gratitude to all of South Africa for embracing us and making it possible to launch and mount a tournament of such scale and ambition in such an impossibly short time.”
