I used to be invited to numerous radio stations in the course of the run-up to the Safa elections as they solicited my views on the matter. There was a whole lot of discuss from completely different factions.
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But probably the most vocal had been those who needed Danny Jordaan overthrown. They got here up with all kinds of accusations and highlighted each failure throughout his tenure.
His greatest opponent, though solely on paper, was Ria Ledwaba. I argued that there was nothing new that Ria would deliver us. She was making legitimate factors, sure, however she had been in the identical set-up for a very long time and had not pushed for these concepts to be applied.
I additionally talked about how we’re so upset now solely as a result of we’re near the elections, and we might recoil again to our shells once more as soon as the elections are over.
And it has not even been two months, and Jordaan is sitting fairly in his place, and every little thing has quietened down. You would swear there weren’t any storms at all.
But it’s how we’re because the South African soccer trade – all discuss and no motion. We had been speaking concerning the modifications which can be wanted at Safa House as a result of it was a sizzling subject then.
I ponder if these issues have abruptly disappeared and can reappear once more in 4 years’ time when the presidency is up for re-election once more. I might count on that individuals like Ria and Solly would proceed to struggle the great struggle of adjusting our soccer.
It is in any case at grassroots degree the place our soccer must change. I’m positive with all her expertise and connections. Ria can get funding to begin the programme of integrating the previous skilled gamers into growth at colleges degree.
She doesn’t should be Safa president to make a distinction. She simply must have the willpower to wish to make a distinction which I doubt she has.
And among the individuals who had been talked about as potential future Safa presidents like Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo ought to be inspired to begin their campaigns now.
They ought to begin by becoming a member of the Safa constructions at native ranges and work their means up. This, not simply because it’s a requirement of the Safa statuettes. But additionally as a result of it could open their eyes to the actual issues the organisation has.
Safa’s downside shouldn’t be solely that their flagship programme Bafana Bafana is wailing and quick turning into non-competent, however that there are not any correct growth plans that talk the identical language from backside to the highest.
We count on a growth technique to come back from the highest and filter all the way down to the native constructions. That is unlikely to work. The plan is workshopped by individuals who wouldn’t have an inkling of the issues that coaches face.
That is why having somebody begin from that degree and work their means as much as the Safa presidency might probably be our solely hope of adjusting issues. As it’s now, we don’t know what we wish in growth as a rustic.
I misplaced all hope I had after I noticed how persons are encouraging showboating – or let me be politically right and name it ‘kasi flavour’ that was displayed within the DStv Diski Shield video games not too long ago.
Some had been saying kids ought to be allowed to be expressive like that. Others argued that they need to be taught from that younger age to play responsibly. To at all times take into consideration the great of the workforce and never particular person shine.
That we’re nonetheless having these arguments nowadays simply goes to point out that our issues are means greater than who’s Safa president. Our soccer issues want devoted individuals. Not power-hungry wolves who put on sheepskin simply to get into positions of energy and affect.
