The president of West Point Soccer Club is calling for increased parental supervision of children attending training sessions following the tragic deaths of two young basketball players. Fifteen-year-old Dau Akueng and twelve-year-old Chol Achiek were killed while walking home from practice earlier this month. The incident has left the community in shock and has prompted urgent discussions about child safety.
In a statement, club president Guillaume Nollet emphasized the need for parents to remain on-site during training sessions. “We have more than 450 kids, so the issue we have been having is parents coming and dropping kids at the car park, leaving them there and picking them up when they are done,” he explained.
The alarming situation has been exacerbated by instances where children are left waiting for extended periods. “A lot of people use the club as a form of childcare, so they drop their child at 18:00 when training starts and go and do their shopping,” Nollet noted. As a result, some children have been left unattended for as long as two hours while coaches may be delayed due to traffic or other reasons.
While officials at West Point and similar clubs are willing to supervise young athletes, Nollet stressed the limitations of such arrangements. “We have kids as young as seven, so if kids are injured, we need to be able to contact parents quickly—and if they are around, it is much easier,” he said.
The recent events have highlighted the essential role of parental involvement in ensuring the safety of young players. “When we heard what had happened not all that far from us walking back from a basketball training, it shocked us,” Nollet remarked.
To address these concerns, West Point Soccer Club has been encouraging parents to volunteer at the club, fostering a stronger connection between parents, teams, and the organization. Nollet believes that increased parental engagement can significantly enhance the environment for all children involved in sports. “We try to create this connection between parents, team, and the club, so we encourage parents to come and volunteer,” he added.
As the community continues to grapple with the loss of two young lives, the call for greater parental oversight aims to prevent future tragedies and cultivate a safer atmosphere for children engaged in sporting activities.
