Johannesburg, 18 September – The South African sports industry needs to do more to be an inclusive and safe space for the LGBTQAI+ community. While there has been some progress in recent years, there are still many barriers that prevent LGBTI+ people from fully participating in and enjoying sports.

In an aim to highlight the challenges South African athletes face, both on and off the pitch, the Thami Dish Foundation has adopted a soccer team from the Phuti Lekoloane LGBTI Legacy Games. The annual sporting event, now in its fourth year aims to celebrate the LGBTI+ community and promote inclusion and equality. Named after Phuti Lekoloane, a former professional footballer who was forced to retire from the sport after coming out as gay, the event has grown in popularity each year since. The year the games will feature four sports: netball, women’s soccer, men’s under-21 soccer, and men’s open soccer.

Speaking on the adoption, Thami Kotlolo said “One of the biggest challenges faced is the lack of visibility of LGBTQAI+ people in sports. There are very few openly LGBTI+ athletes in South Africa, and those who are out often face discrimination and harassment. This can make it difficult for LGBTI+ people to feel comfortable participating in sports, and it can also make it difficult for them to find role models.”

The newly formed Thami Dish Football Club wants to focus their attention on creating safer spacers and to open up the conversion on how the sports arena is not open, nor inclusive enough for any LGBTI+ athlete, while ensuring that any pitch these athletes walk on is not an homophobic one.

The Thami Dish Foundation seeks to support young LGBTI+ individuals from disadvantaged communities across South Africa. One of their core objectives is to encourage and motivate young LGBTI members to dream beyond their current circumstances and moreover, to equip them with the necessary tools to propel themselves forward.

Thami added, “The LGBTI Legacy Games are also an important platform for raising awareness of the challenges faced by the LGBTI+ community in South Africa. Homophobia and transphobia are still widespread in the country, and LGBTI+ people often face discrimination and violence. The games are a way to show that the LGBTI+ community is strong and resilient, and that they will not be silenced.”

But it doesn’t end that, the Foundation wants allies, communities and the sports fraternity to rally together to further sensitise the sector and start wider conversions. This included much needed sponsorship and funding. The Foundation is calling for the private and public sector to support such initiatives.

“When LGBTQ athletes feel supported and accepted, they are more likely to participate in sports and reach their full potential. This will also promote visibility and representation which will enable more LGBTI+ youth to be comfortable and be successful in sports and that they are welcome in the sporting community free of prejudice and discrimination,” concluded Thami.

The Thami Dish Foundation offers a range of programs and services to young LGBTI people, including:

• Mentorship and support groups
• Educational and vocational training
• Leadership development programs
• Arts and culture programs
• Health and well-being programs

To learn more on how you can get involved with the Thami Dish foundation visit http://thamidish.com/.

For more information on the Legacy Games contact hello@thamidish.com