Sinola Jafta, a batter for the Proteas Women team, openly discussed her struggle with alcoholism and expressed gratitude to Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the vital support she received in mental health and rehabilitation.
Jafta shared her experience, noting that when she finally admitted the problem, she was told: 'We will support you.' She emphasized that CSA's help in directing her to a rehabilitation center is something she will always be grateful for.
In 2022, Jafta took a break from play to undergo alcohol treatment, despite only four months remaining until the Cricket World Cup. However, she realized she had reached a critical point, and immediate intervention was the only way out. CSA was there to support her.
Jafta recalled: 'They weren't obligated to do it, but they literally said: 'We see something.' They allowed me to spend about two months away from the outside world, and they gave me a second chance,' she shared.
She also noted that in sports, when players face mental difficulties, whether it is addiction or anything else, seeking help is the first step toward recovery. Jafta admitted that she was afraid to seek support for a long time, holding onto that fear for a year.
The recent situation regarding the mental health of sports stars gained widespread attention following the tragic death of Bafana Bafana player Jayden Adams at the age of 25, just weeks after participating in the Football World Cup. Although the official circumstances of Adams' death are still under investigation, the police have launched a formal inquiry into the matter.
For Jafta herself, the most difficult aspect of the journey was admitting the reality of her situation. She recounted that she initially denied her addiction. She previously stated that it took her a year to realize she was an alcoholic. At that time, a doctor and head coach contacted her and said: 'Jaft, we think we have a problem here,' but it still took her a year to get help.
