What began as a dream football tour to Spain has turned into a logistical nightmare for a Cape Town-based academy, with dozens of children now stuck abroad due to mounting costs and poor coordination.
BT Football Academy, which recently participated in the renowned Donosti Cup in San Sebastian, confirmed that their return plans have fallen apart, leaving a large group of young players still in Europe with no confirmed way home.
The players were originally set to return to South Africa on 16 July, with schools in the Western Cape scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, 22 July. But despite completing the tournament, many are still abroad, caught between skyrocketing flight prices and administrative delays.
In a detailed public statement, the academy cited serious visa processing issues that disrupted their travel timeline. ‘Despite our early attempts to begin the visa process, we were only granted appointments much later than planned,’ they said. ‘Visas were received merely a week before the intended departure.’
This last-minute approval made it impossible to book affordable return tickets, which had by then surged in price due to peak travel season in Europe. According to travel data from Hopper and Skyscanner, July is one of the most expensive months to fly out of Europe due to summer holidays, with fares often doubling or tripling within days.
BT Football Academy says they foresaw potential issues and reached out to multiple government bodies, including ministers and departments, asking for assistance in case of financial strain. ‘Regrettably, no response was received, neither via email nor telephonically, despite repeated efforts,’ the statement said.
While the players gave their all on the field, representing South Africa with pride and skill, the aftermath of the tournament has left them in limbo. The academy has extended their stay and is covering food and accommodation out of pocket, although the cost has exceeded the original amount paid by parents.
‘We acknowledge that our limited communication has caused concern,’ the academy added. ‘Please understand that we are working around the clock to find solutions to bring all players back home as soon as possible.’
This situation has struck a nerve with many in the local community. Some parents are growing anxious, while others are rallying behind the academy in support. Sports commentator Justin Ford weighed in on social media, saying, ‘This is a tragic outcome for what should have been a highlight in these kids’ football journeys. More should’ve been done to assist earlier.’
BT Football Academy ended their statement with a heartfelt message of gratitude to the families and supporters who have shown patience and solidarity, reiterating that this was an unprecedented event in the academy’s history.
The TRACEY LANGE CARES initiative is pleading for any donation that could assist in covering flight costs.
Donation details:
Bank: FNB – Acc no: 62932990486 – Branch code: 220323 – Reference: Football Team – Email: [email protected]
Full BT Football Academy statement:
BT Football Academy would like to formally address the current situation regarding our Donosti Cup Tour 2025 and provide clarity to all parents and supporters.
Prior to departure, all essential elements of the tour, including accommodation, food, tournament registration, and other logistical requirements, were paid and secured. Our team was excited and well-prepared to represent South Africa in the prestigious Donosti Cup. Unfortunately, our preparations were significantly impacted by delays in securing visa appointment slots. Despite our early attempts to begin the visa process, we were only granted appointments much later than planned. As a result, visas were received merely a week before the intended departure. This created immense pressure on our team to secure flights within an extremely short timeframe.
The cost of return flights so close to the departure date proved unaffordable. In anticipation of this challenge, we had reached out well in advance to various government departments and ministers seeking financial assistance. Regrettably, no response was received, neither via email nor telephonically, despite repeated efforts. The boys and girls successfully participated in the Donosti Cup tournament, showcasing both skill and sportsmanship on an international stage. However, upon conclusion of the tournament, the return flight prices remained prohibitively high, and we were still unable to secure tickets home.
In the meantime, we made the decision to extend accommodation for all players and ensured they received meals every day. These additional costs have gone far beyond what was initially paid by parents. Nonetheless, our priority has remained the safety, well-being, and dignity of every player entrusted to our care.
We acknowledge that our limited communication has caused concern. Please understand that we are working around the clock to find solutions to bring all players back home as soon as possible. The financial strain is heavy, but our commitment to our players and their families is unwavering. We are deeply grateful for the understanding, compassion, and support we’ve received from parents, especially those whose children have previously toured with us and continue to stand by us during this unprecedented situation. This is the first time we have faced such a challenge, and it is not reflective of our past tours.
We remain hopeful and are actively pursuing every possible option and will not rest until every player is safely home.
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Picture: BT Football Academy / Facebook
