Stop this madness!

Phineas Mukwazo Talking Sport
IN this very same column on 3 October, 2010 we applauded Sports and Recreation Commission board chairman Joseph James for his timely call to the authorities to address the issue of violence at soccer matches.“The principles of tolerance, discipline and fair play in competition are nurtured through sport. We hope this will be a thing of the past. I urge all national associations involved to take corrective measures to stop this rot that is taking place,’’ James was then quoted by our sister paper Chronicle, in the aftermath of the violence that marred the Highlanders versus Dynamos league match at Barbourfields Stadium.

It is to be recalled police had to use teargas and water cannons to disburse angry Highlanders “hooligans” who were throwing missiles onto the field and vandalising the stadium.

The clashes came hot on the heels of the mayhem that engulfed the BancABC Sup8r clash between the same teams, and the disturbances that led to the abandonment of another match between FC Victoria and Highlanders again at the same venue.

We agreed with James for his wide counsel and, in approval, we also challenged the administrators at all levels of the game to take a firm and holistic approach to stamp out the aggressive and disorderly assault on the beautiful game by “hooligans” masquerading as supporters.

We say HOOLIGANS, because “hooliganism” is the term used broadly to describe disorderly, aggressive and often violent behaviour perpetrated by spectators at sporting events.

We also then pointed out that the incidents we mentioned above were indicators to the birth of something much bigger, unless nipped in the bud, and that it might even eventually lead to “deaths” of innocent soccer lovers.

Almost four years down the line, we mourn the death of Thembelenkosini Hloli (MHDSRP), a victim of that same needless violence.

Our hearts bleed for Hloli. Our hearts bleed for football in this country. Our hearts bleed over the intolerance that we have witnessed in our football in recent years.

And in the same vein, we long for camaraderie in our football. We crave for a time when all opposing sets of supporters sit side by side, cheer and jeer their teams without any hindrance.

South Africa is said to be one of the most violent countries in the world, where one can at best be stabbed, and at worst shot dead. But how many times have we watched those sold out rivalries between Orlando Pirates-Kaizer Chiefs, with opposing supporters sitting side by side in their team colours urging on their teams.

And yet as we “clamour’’ for “peace” we feel let down by those among us who say there are proponents of fair play of “the most beautiful game”, while at the same time behaving like the devil’s advocate, failing to stand up against those engaging in unacceptable behaviour.

They have listened with awe to songs from the terraces such as: “MaNdevere munowapireiko doro, anotinetsa adakwa”, “Wakewalibona ngaphi itshona elibhalwe Tshilamoya, “team yemado . . .i” or “Itshona, tshaya lizwa ngedunku tshaya”.

Some among us have allowed players to behave in unsportsmanlike manner, which has not helped matters. Fans come to the stadia, part with their hard- earned cash so that they get value for their money, through the flow of the game, but not through disruptive rather than beneficial, incidents of time-wasting and feigning injury.

Holding on to the ball and throwing it back on the pitch when the game is in motion, defeats the whole purpose of fair play, as much as it fuels the spectre of violence. And there are those with a penchant for unruly and destructive behaviour, always ready to find excuses for their behaviour.

Despite our repeated calls over the years, the fans have failed to embrace the spirit of Fair Play as a guiding principle.

The Fifa Fair Play concept says matches should not be won by hook or crook, and that respect should be part of the game. It reminds us that “without” opponents there can be no game and that everyone has the same rights, including the right to be respected.

Teammates are colleagues and referees are there to maintain discipline and fair play.

Fans should behave: conduct themselves fairly by respecting themselves. What the game demands are genuine fans, people who have respect for property, safety of others, coaches, and even themselves.

We hope that PSL’s proclamation in their statements following last week’s incidents should be taken seriously, and concrete action will be taken to stop this madness.

“While the league will take stern disciplinary measures against clubs breaching the football statutes, rules and regulations, the acts of violence at Barbourfields Stadium now require a concerted effort from the community of Bulawayo,’’ pleaded the PSL.

“We appeal to community leaders, religious leaders, councillors, Members of Parliament, national leaders and members of the general public to join hands and fight hooliganism and violence at football matches. It is the duty of all stakeholders to discourage our youth from violence. We should also redouble our efforts to put in place security structures at the stadia, BF in particular.’’

Well said PSL, but the taste of the pudding is in the eating!

We note that in the UK since the re-development of football grounds, CCTV and higher levels of policing at football matches, the number of arrests have fallen and most games passed without incident.

It’s high time we had such so that the miscreants who threaten the survival of both our football and clubs are handed their just desserts.

As for Dynamos’ chairman Kenny Mubaiwa’s unfortunate remarks to the effect that his club might stop playing Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium, we can only equate such to the mentality that if “ideas were like children, your own are wonderful”.

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