tawandamusarurwa
Arthur Choga
THIS weekend Christians celebrate Easter.
It is known as a commemoration of events surrounding the trial, execution and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Non-believers appreciate Easter because it is the longest holiday on the calendar, stretching from Friday (Good Friday) to Monday (Easter Monday).
Sports fans also get to sit back and enjoy various sporting events.
Some take the opportunity to attend church services while others take time to complete outstanding chores. The overriding theme of Easter is the resurrection of Jesus three days after His crucifixion.
This might as well be the theme of our local football as fans flock back to football stadiums.
The game between Highlanders and defending champions FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium at the weekend is instructive.
Highlanders, Dynamos and CAPS United — the three traditional giants of the local game — have begun the season on a high and occupy the top three slots in the league.
Granted, the season is only three games old, but the feel-good factor among the clubs’ fans has a major effect on what happens going forward.
It is also refreshing that the sponsors and league are looking at ways to get fans excited about games.
Allowing drinks into the stands has worked wonders for cricket and rugby before.
Now, the onus is on clubs to ensure fans do not squander this dispensation.
Football administrators need to continue listening to what makes fans happy.
Performances on the field of play also matter and are going to determine, more than any incentives, whether fans will continue coming, and it would be a good advert for the game if they do.
I pray that clubs’ marketing divisions are taking advantage of these opportunities to sell branded club-related materials.
Surely, Highlanders fans should not be buying costly Juventus jerseys to support their team.
Equally, Dynamos fans getting Chelsea jerseys because they cannot get official merchandise is a no-no.
Some local authorities, whose grounds remain shut, are also missing an opportunity to be making money from the huge crowds that are now coming to football stadiums.
So, this presents a real opportunity considering the Premier Soccer League presently does not have enough football facilities.
Perhaps they will act accordingly.
Being suspended by FIFA does not stop the local league from building systems and empowering teams to grow into formidable brands that generate revenue and positively impact on players and communities.
Football is not the only sport experiencing a renaissance. The national cricket team, the Chevrons, recently posted a series win over Netherlands, who are among the most improved sides in world cricket.
They have built a solid reputation and are edging towards possible Test status.
After Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland achieved Test status. There is nothing stopping Netherlands from aspiring to do the same. Defeating them is a positive step and builds on cricket’s recent successes on and off the pitch.
Further, the netball team are on their way to the World Cup.
This marks the second appearance in a row for the team, also called the Gems.
The Under-21 women’s hockey team are also going to the World Cup finals in Chile later this year. Small shoots become big trees.
What now needs to follow is genuine commitment by all stakeholders — Government, associations, local authorities, schools and corporate partners.
A sports indaba would be a great idea.
Sometimes one gets the feeling that some associations exist purely to create posts for people, some of whom are not accountable to sports fans.
An indaba would, therefore, define the national sports philosophy and guide the nation on what sport actually means to Zimbabwe.
Is it something people do just for fun?
Is it a serious life-changer for participants and for the national brand?
Or is it something the people do because they love it and have the time for?
As we see signs of life, it is time to channel the life strategically and with genuine commitment. Easter begins with weeping and pain, but it ends in victory and celebration.
It is now time to take sport in the direction it needs to go.
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Online Reporter