The Sunday News
Lovemore Dube
VIOLENCE has no place in modern sport and society.
It leaves scars and also opens old wounds something that is not necessary in everyday lives.
This is the feeling of liberation struggle hero, Zanu-PF Politburo member and Highlanders FC benefactor Colonel (Retired)Tshinga Dube.
Dube’s sentiments come in the wake of skirmishes witnessed in the abandoned match between Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.
Violent scenes were witnessed in Barbourfields and Mzilikazi suburbs with Police forced to use tear smoke outside the stadium to disperse fans and residents.
“In this day and age we do not expect that kind of behaviour. We ought to be more human and remain united by sport which is an important fibre of our every day lives,” said Dube.
He called upon supporters of Dynamos and Highlanders to be tolerant and have respect for each other.
He said songs with tribal slants tend to incite ill-feeling towards one another and need to be banned in stadia.
Dube challenged match officials to up their game and have in mind that lives of people at the stadium hinged on their decisions.
“Stop the bad songs. There are many songs both teams’ supporters can sing without insulting and demeaning others. Dynamos and Highlanders are very important to our country, they represent our united people and hence even match officials must know that their decisions need to be spot on. He said good officiating keeps fans happy and is good for the development of the game,” said Dube.
The veteran of the struggle whose association with Highlanders dates back to the 1950s before he joined the struggle in Zambia, believes the two teams’ executives need to meet and look into why their clashes have problems.
He said a joint statement from the leadership would help towards stopping the violent orgies that have grown to be associated with their matches.
“The Highlanders and Dynamos executives have to meet and talk about this problem and shake hands. They must lead the way, this needs a sober approach so that our people show each other love and respect at matches. Both teams must apologise to the sponsors who are their lifeline. After all it’s just a game.
“My appeal is to referees to be impartial, interpret and apply rules equitably so that no team feels hard done from their decisions as at times that is the source of violence at stadia,” said Dube.
He said at times what happens at stadia is beyond the clubs and hence people must not rush to conclusions before football authorities sit.
“Already some parties have been subjected to kangaroo courts and judged before the PSL disciplinary committee sits. The interplanatory law of physics says if something will go wrong, it will go wrong anyway. May be that is what happened, people came to watch their favourite teams and sport and then
BOOM there was violence. Causes of the Sunday fiasco have to be investigated and corrective measures taken. This is beyond the two teams’ control, people come as individuals,” said Dube.
Dube said while times were hard for clubs, Dynamos and Highlanders who will on 26 September be before the PSL disciplinary, are set to lose a minimum of US$1 250 for pitch invasion, fans must also play a part and behave to save money for their teams.
Dube also took time to thank sponsors Sakunda Holdings for their support of the big two.
“Sakunda have made the league exciting by sponsoring the two clubs,” said Dube.
