I
really appreciate the efforts you've done to bring Gordon Igesund into the
Bafana Bafana set up; I have seen great improvements. The problem is however
not with the coach or players, the problem is in the nation's sport system.
Wait, we do not have one.
Yesterday,
our national ladies hockey team lost 5-1 against the Olympic champions; their
second loss of the current series, but no words mentioned. Our cricket team are
top ranked but they have no world title. Our athletes struggle at the Olympics.
All
in all, South Africa does not have a football problem but a sports problem. So
many SRSAs documents mention development and winning medals but they don't have
a solid plan of how to get there.
Our
minister's words were disgusting and embarrassing. I would love to know what
sport qualifications or experience he has. You do not build champions in three
weeks; it takes 10 years to build a competitive athlete (something that should
start from an early age).
In
order to be the best, you have to play the best (Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria),
experience defeat, experience competitive football (at junior level, regional -
COSAFA, continental - CAF, international - FIFA, and club - PSL), and utilize
your sports science resources.
Fact:
talent can only become world class, with exposure. Players should play for
Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23, before they can get to the senior side. The
Under-17 and 20s can only become better if they play and they have regular
training camps in other countries (camps that will allow is to play against
overseas teams like England, Brazil, Japan, Australia).
The
sad part about all this is that NO ONE WILL LISTEN. It’s time to give young
administrators the opportunity to bring change; you can only fail or gain
experience, if you are given the opportunity.
Regards,
Simon-Peter
BSportSci
(cum laude), BA (Hons) Rec and Sport Management
