Fashion in sport

13 Apr, 2014 - 01:04 0 Views

The Sunday News

Peter Matika Lets Get Stylish
I AM really not much of a soccer fan and I do not hide it.
I occasionally watch the sport, that is, when I do get the chance. And like everyone else I actually have a favourite team, not that I am compelled to but I guess it’s because there was one point in time when I actually had a deep interest in football.

Anyway, I am sure most of us have come across avid soccer fans, some of whom are so passionate about their teams and go the extra mile and spend their hard earned cash to stock up on team regalia and accessories.

Yes, there are many people who actually stock up on team regalia and accessories but not many of them go the extra mile of having to get tailor made regalia, all for the love of soccer.

Just a couple of weeks ago I bumped into an extremely devoted phenomenal Dynamos Football Club supporter – Gondo Gondo (whose name I thought was a nickname), who when I first laid eyes on, was momentarily reminded of South Africa’s Goodenough Sithole popularly known as Skippers – an avid supporter of Orlando Pirates who is always dressed unusually during soccer matches.

Gondo Gondo was dressed from head to toe in his team’s regalia, which was a reincarnation of an army general’s uniform.
I said to myself I hope I won’t have a hard time interviewing this guy, as the South African sports journalist did interviewing Goodenough.

Anyway, keen on hearing Gondo Gondo’s story, I asked him for an interview, which he happily granted.

I also asked him to wear his regalia for the interview and I was surprised to see him bring five out of 25 of his “uniforms”, which he posed in for a photo shoot. During my chat with him, he told me he had been supporting Dynamos from the time he was young. Gondo Gondo mentioned that he was the supporters’ membership extension officer of the Bulawayo chapter.

“I wear different regalia every time the team is playing; it motivates the fans and the team. If the players see just how passionate about the team we are, it obviously encourages them to play better. The reason behind having so much regalia is to show passion and enthusiasm about the game. It promotes fair play and also makes the game much interesting and fun. It also in a way entices other people to join the team and since I am in charge of recruiting supporters it is my duty to wear these ceremonial outfits,” he said.

The outfits, which he said he designs and are inspired by almost anything he finds interesting in magazines, newspapers or TV have made him the most popular Dynamos supporter in Bulawayo if not the country.

“Football is a game we need to enjoy. It’s only wise to dress up for the team and the supporters. Don’t be shy to dress up for your team. I am inspired by almost any outfit I come across and I am not afraid to spend loads of money getting my regalia tailor made,” said Gondo Gondo.

I wondered to myself what his wife actually thought of him always getting new hip and cool regalia in support of his team.

He mentioned that he was presently working on designing an outfit, which resembled that of a judge’s robe.

“I will release or showcase my latest outfit on the third week, when we meet Bantu Rovers. This will be the outfit, which will obviously demand attention as a custodian of the ‘law’. After we win I will pass my verdict,” he said, comically.

Gondo Gondo said he had grown so popular because of his regalia to the extent that at one time when he travelled to Botswana to watch a soccer derby pitting his team and Mochudu Centre Chiefs from Botswana he actually managed to get Botswana nationals to support Dynamos and was given cash for his undying love for the team.

“It’s a way to try and lure more people to fancy the team. My wish is to see more people following in my footsteps. I urge other supporters, regardless of which team they support, to dress up than to engage in violence. At the end of the day the sport will grow and we will definitely witness a rise in supporters in our teams,” he said.

Well given the scenario that fashion did manage to break into the sports scene even in the most unconventional ways I am sure that the long faded spark in football would reignite.

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