Sundaymail Editor
Arthur Choga
The media in India never goes into overdrive when the country fails to qualify for a Rugby World Cup.
They understand that rugby is not their sport.
Everyone appreciates that the level of effort that has been put into the sport around the country does not create the expectation for a World Cup qualification.
Everyone is clear on that.
It is, however, a different story when the national cricket team falters.
Everyone gets engaged.
Even when the team is winning but not playing particularly well, there are always heightened discussions in the media.
There are also calls and cautions, while former players and stars of yesteryear give their expert opinion and critical comments.
They all understand that everyone has invested in making the team strong and they have expectations of the team doing well.
The administrators invest in ensuring funding for training, travelling and personal payments is in place, all the while making sure players do not stay up at night haggling over appearance fees and other trivial matters.
The marketing team ensures the team is properly kitted out and players are aware of and in tune with their commercial obligations.
Every part of the machine is well-oiled and moves in unison.
Closer to home, an interesting illustration is Northern Region Division One champions Simba Bhora.
The team deliberately set out to qualify for the Premier League.
To do that, they engaged Arthur Tutani, a coach with PSL qualification pedigree and one who understands the world of Division One football.
They then looked for players they believed would help them achieve those goals.
They also built and equipped a stadium in Shamva.
Their level of investment has delivered their desired outcomes, as they will be in the PSL next season.
Similarly, the Netherlands are the current women’s field hockey Olympic champions.
Since boycotting the 1980 Moscow Games, where the tournament was won by Zimbabwe, they have won gold medals in four of the 10 Games contested since.
They have also taken two silver medals and three bronze medals, with their only non-podium finish coming in 1992 in Barcelona, when they finished sixth.
Since 1974, they have contested in 15 World Cups, during which they won nine of them (including three consecutive wins).
They have lost in the final four times and finished third once.
The Dutch only finished outside the top three in 1994, when they were in sixth position.
It is not a coincidence that the only time they finished off the podium in both tournaments was around the same time.
The team was undergoing transformation, and they were prepared to give up ground so they could strengthen their team.
The results have come thereafter.
Their federation has set its sights firmly on success by ensuring their team gets all the support it needs.
Women’s hockey is celebrated and adored.
We have begun to see flickers of life in women’s hockey in Zimbabwe, but a glance at the two national hockey stadiums does not inspire confidence at all.
All sports require investment in training, equipment, facilities, logistics, sponsorship and media management.
The greatest and most successful sporting teams, whatever the level, leave nothing to chance.
Success in sport follows planning and investment, and, as a nation, we must start paying attention to the basics.
It is often saddening when players are criticised when they fail on the field of play, especially when people choose to ignore that they played their hearts out without the benefit of a full and dedicated support system.
Simba Bhora and other small and upcoming clubs are laying a template for what can be achieved.
National associations can draw a few lessons from these institutions.
There is need to invest in sound marketing and media engagement to bring sponsors on board.
If that does not happen, local sport will always be extending a begging bowl, while expecting teams to make it to various World Cups.
We have way too many examples of that around us.
Let us adapt them to our situations and build great teams.
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