Online Reporter
THE chaos that erupted at Chahwanda during the match between Hardrock and Dynamos was a painful reminder that our football still has a long way to go in creating a safe, professional and respectable match-day environment.
What should have been a celebration of local football instead turned into a scene of disorder, confusion and embarrassment that damaged the image of the game.Football is supposed to unite communities, entertain families and inspire young people. However, incidents of crowd trouble, poor organisation and violent behaviour continue to overshadow the progress being made on the pitch.
The disturbances at Chahwanda should alarm everyone who cares about Zimbabwean football because they exposed weaknesses in crowd control, stadium management and supporter conduct.Matches involving Dynamos naturally attract huge emotions because the club has the biggest fan bases in the country. Whenever DeMbare play, organisers must expect large crowds, intense passion and heightened tension.
That means security arrangements cannot be treated casually.
Adequate planning is essential. There should be enough trained security personnel, clear crowd management systems and strong coordination between organisers, police and club officials.
When chaos erupts, it usually reflects a failure in preparation somewhere along the line.Supporters also have a major responsibility. Passion for a team should never cross into violence, destruction or threatening behaviour.
Fans invest emotionally in football, but no result is worth endangering lives.
Some supporters behave as if football grounds are battlefields where anger and intimidation are acceptable.
That mentality must be rejected completely. Stadiums should be places where children, women and elderly supporters feel safe attending matches without fear of being caught up in ugly scenes.
The PSL have worked hard in recent years to improve the image of the local game. Sponsors, broadcasters and business partners are more likely to support football when the environment is professional and secure.Unfortunately, scenes of chaos undo much of that progress.
No serious sponsor wants its brand associated with disorder and violence.
Investors want a product that reflects discipline, organisation and positive entertainment value.
Incidents like those at Chahwanda push potential partners away from local football.There is also the danger of tragedy whenever crowds lose control.
Across Africa and the world, football-related chaos has sometimes resulted in stampedes, serious injuries and even deaths. We should know better because we have lost lives in such disasters.
We must never wait for a disaster before taking decisive action.
Authorities need to punish individuals who cause violence, while clubs whose supporters misbehave should also face meaningful sanctions.
Empty-stadium bans, fines and stricter security requirements may seem harsh, but they send an important message that misconduct will not be tolerated.Players and coaches also suffer when matches descend into confusion.
Footballers train hard all week to showcase their talent, only for off-field disorder to steal the headlines.
Young players especially deserve better. Instead of talking about tactics, goals and performances, the public ends up discussing crowd trouble and security failures.
Our football has enormous potential. The passion of local supporters is one of the game’s greatest strengths.
But passion without discipline becomes destructive.
daniel chigunwe