adminDear PSL Clubs,
IT’S 14 matches into the race and so far we have witnessed some exciting football. We hope it stays so until the end with the league’s competitiveness enthralling and all the games hard to predict.
I have found the competition a positive indictment of the quality of the league that provided a top four finish in this year’s Chan tournament held in South Africa.
While the growth and continued existence of the sport is all our responsibility, there have been some disturbing incidents at stadia. These deserve attention as they are putting a dent on the good work being done by a few committed people.
In Pele’s words soccer is a beautiful game whose romantical side embraces the warmth of family and national unity.
Clubs, journalists, sponsors and some other Very, Very Important People (VVIP) have found it difficult to gain entry especially at Luveve Stadium and Barbourfields Stadium. In all instances the men behind it have been named.
A privilege card should not be turned into a tool of ridicule. The PSL secretariat has sat and seen it fit to give certain individuals and groups cards that allow them free access to venues. There is no set time by which these card holders should be at stadia because football is not the only part and parcel of their every day lives. Some have other things of national importance that they would be attending to before they get to matches.
A good photojournalist does not need the whole afternoon at a match venue. His best shot could just be a celebration or an incident at the end of the match.
An overzealous Chicken Inn official, who apparently did not care about the harm that he was doing to the corporate organisation sponsoring Highlanders FC, held Bosso at bay for over 30 minutes. His argument was that they had arrived late. Late for what?
Were they the referees of the day or the teams to take to the field? Their arrival late would not in anyway disturb the proceedings of the game and the ensuing public spat with the Highlanders boss and PSL vice-chairman where some threats were made, was embarrassing.
Football really deserves better public relations.
A How Mine official outdid himself too, harassing members of the media for the second time in as many weeks.
Why are clubs encouraging hooliganism by employing such people? The game is bleeding for sponsorship and some of the people that are turned away by the chaotic manner in which turnstiles are run, are decision makers who could bring in the much needed sponsorship.
Thuggery is one thing football does not need.
Those running mass supported teams Dynamos and Highlanders should engage police and their own systems to curb hooliganism. I have not been impressed with what I have seen of these two teams’ supporters at Barbourfields Stadium in the last fortnight.
Because of the exciting start to the season, I will deliberately hang on to soccer and postpone my switch to golf as I still believe some habits can die.
Why should police be paid when there won’t be any arrests at matches when some innocent people have nearly been maimed.
Yours in soccer,
Lovemore Dube
Online Reporter