Chiefs
as the most supported team in the country always attract more fans away from
home whilst Orlando Pirates after winning treble are not attracting good fans
at Orlando Stadium. It is pity that a team of Mamelodi Sundowns caliber can
only attracting less than 5 000 fans at
their own backyard despite having quality players whilst SuperSport United are
still attracting less than 300 fans when playing in Pretoria. Black Leopards
used to attract minimum fans of 10 000 in Venda by then but now at Polokwane,
they always have less than 500 fans watching the games.
Reasons For Empty Seats
1. Technology and too
much soccer on TV
The
problem is that we are living in the world of sophisticated technology which is
limiting fans to go to the stadium whilst the interest of local football has
been eclipsed by the love of English Premier League (EPL) and Spanish La Liga by
many local fans. Many soccer fans now prefer to watch soccer match at their own
convenient at home than driving long distance to the stadium so that they can
still catch-up series of matches local and international on TV. TV especial the
introduction of SuperSport has killed the fans spirit to go to the
stadium.
2. Fans behaviour
Many
fans are citing fans behaviour as a reason chased them away from watching game
on TV especial dagga and cigarette smoking culture which has health problem for
those inhaling it from distance. Even some disgusting behaviour of fans who
came drunk to the stadium is also pushing some fans away especial those who
came to watch soccer as family.
3. Too Many games
Fans
are also tired watching weekdays and weekend soccer live all the time due to
financial challenges. An average fan can spend R200 for tickets and R600 for
transport which is a sum of R800 per months. Taking into consideration the
widenth inequality gap coupled with high rate of poverty, such amount of money
is too much for poor soccer fan.
4. Ticketing system
Our
ticketing systems are still at infant stage compared to some countries especial
in Europe. Our fans always purchase ticket per game. PSL and teams should
introduce seasonal bulk ticketing system for fans to purchase annual tickets
like in the EPL where every stadium is full to capacity even when the team is
fighting relegation.
5. Integration of private
cars and public transport
We
need a good spatial planning including integration of public transport and
private vehicles for soccer fans. Soccer fans should leave their cars then use
either train or buses to stadium as some stadiums have safety parking issues
for private cars. Some stadiums are not well accessible. We need park and ride
even for the PSL games not only for Bafana Bafana games.
6. Lack of curtain raiser
No
more curtain raisers to attract fans early to the stadium. Curtain raisers using legend team or reserve
teams will attract more fans to come early to enjoy the country best soccer
skills. Fans want value for money and the value for money is guaranteed when legends
will be displaying their god given talent as curtain raisers. Now the stadiums
are dull before the main games as the fans are not entertained.
7. Lack of quality by
foreign players
Our
local football used to attract quality foreign players who were fans pull
factors. The country once imported
quality players like Roger Feutmba, Ernest "Wire" Mtawali, Raphael
Chukwu, Robson Muchichwa, Bunene Ngaudane, Patrick Kazadi, Absolomon
"Scara" Thindwa, Entiane Mvumbi Nsunda, Emeka Mamale, Gento Kampala, Abel
and william Shongwe and many more who contributed to the growth of local soccer
but now the league is full of average foreign players not adding any positive
full to the growth of local football.
8. Lack of family suite
Our
stadiums lack family suite to stimulate families to watch soccer in a
convenient environment.
Solution To Empty Seats
1.
We need vigorous road shows to encourage fans to come in numbers in the stadium
than forever watching games on TV. There must be incentives on the ground to
galvanised the fans to come to the stadium like Fan of the game, family fans of
the day etc.
2.
Teams should start introducing bulk ticket systems so that fans can purchase
annual ticket on time at discounted rate which will contribute to teams
generating more revenue.
3.
Stadiums should have health mandatory guidelines/ requirement to ban dagga and
cigarette smoking in the stadium and also excessive drinking that lead to fans
disrupting other fans. Drunk fans must be prohibited an access to the stadium
to avoid hooligans act.
4.
PSL should stop congesting PSL fixtures by having too many weekdays and weekend
games to stimulate fans to go to the stadium. Too much soccer has led to low
libido of soccer fans to watch games live.
EPL
and La Liga always have weekend games than weekday games. League competitions
should play weekdays and weekends should only be dedicated for league games
only.
5.
We need park and ride even for PSL games as many stadiums are not accessible by
private vehicles as safety issue is still a challenge. Many fans prefer to
watch soccer on TV than risking their cars to be stolen outside the stadium.
PSL
securities are not found in the parking bays whilst many stadiums don't have
private cars parking bay. It is survival of the fittest whilst the traffic
after soccer also discouraged many fans to go to the stadium especial for
weekdays game that will end at 22:30 with long distance to travel back home to
refresh for working day the following day.
6.
We also need yester years player as curtain raisers to attract more fans to the
stadium. We still need to see the array of mouthwatering skills of
Edward "Magents" Motale, Harold "Jazzy Queen" Legodi,
Mlungiso "Prof" Ngubane, Doctor "16V" Khumalo, Zane
"Magic Feet" Moosa, Steve "Chippa" Lekoelela, etc.
7.
PSL should introduced strict requirements to foreign players which also take
into consideration age and number of international caps as now PSL is a dumping
site for ageing foreigners using PSL teams as cash-cows without adding any
value.
8.
The Stadiums should also designate special family suite to attract more
families to the stadium.
By Owen Mundalamo and
Bongani Gadlela
Twitter: @shudulizah & @diskioff
Twitter: @shudulizah & @diskioff
