YCLSA ON CASTER SEMENYA NOT HAVING SPONSORSHIP

19 OCTOBER 2010

The Young Communist league of South Africa (uFasimba) is concerned with the manner in which Caster Semenya has been isolated and ostracised by sponsors and various people whom initially took centre stage when she was going through the gender testing ordeal. The tests have cleared her name, but she now finds herself with no sponsor to further her athletics career.

Caster Semenya made history by being the first Black South African woman to win a gold medal (800m) at the World championships in Germany. We wonder if she had been white, would she have found herself in the same situation of having no sponsor. As the YCLSA we call upon government to take the lead through the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to find sponsorship for Caster Semenya and give her financial support.

Her talent and abilities speak for themselves and as South Africans we should continue to rally behind her even in her victory. When the issue of the gender testing was making headlines everyone took keen interest in her life, but the same zeal and enthusiasm unfortunately has not materialise when she needs us the most, to further advance her career as a professional athlete.

Statement issued by the YCLSA Head office, October 19 2010

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