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AT a time when populations across the world have allowed global media to shape and re-shape their identity through alienating them from their native cultures it comes as a breath of fresh air that efforts are being made to celebrate local stars. We definitely need local heroes.
While it is a good thing to connect with the rest of the world through the internet, satellite television and other forms of connectivity, we still remain very much local though our interaction with the media may give us an illusion of having a stake in foreign industries that have produced stars that we have grown to adore so much. We have seen the celebration of artistes through honouring them in their annual arts awards, and the addition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards this year, among others. Stories of our yesteryear stars often make for painful reading.A� Where is our pride when we cannot look after our own but wear merchandise extolling the virtues of foreign stars that we may never meet?
It is against this background that we applaud the football authorities on their bid to establish some form of Hall of Fame, to honour those that excelled in football in years gone by. While we may never agree on the processes leading to the choice of who is the best footballer that the country has ever produced, it is the spirit behind the initiative that deserves our applause. Week after week, football fans fill stadiums to watch their stars embody the pride reposed in their teamsa�� colours and it is these players that give so great entertainment value that the fans cannot stay at home, even when the matches are live on television. Nothing beats the stadium environment, and being close to the stars.
We believe the celebration of excellence among the sportspersons will motivate the younger generation to do much more, to scale greater heights in pursuit of their dreams. We need to produce local stars that can even be used to market local brands so that they make money from their talent. Our children should look up to local stars and not think that stars are manufactured overseas, an impression that they get from satellite television that brings foreign stars to their living rooms.
In as much as we should seek to celebrate local talent, it is also important for football administrators to develop systems that ensure our players are supported and nurtured in all aspects of their lives so that they become the role models they should be.
The begging bowl syndrome where players fall on hard times months after retiring from football is not a good thing and could be an indictment of our systems during the playersa�� playing days. It takes quite a lot to build a Ronaldo or Messi image.
We know how some of our footballers used to be more popular than the television figures. It just takes exposure and talent development. Let us celebrate and bring local stars to the fore so that we do not let our talent go to waste. And please, let us not wait for foreign scouts to recognise our talent.
We can do it ourselves. Football is an industry and if all leagues in the country are put together, we have thousands of families earning a living from football.
Online Reporter