Teams are the real VIPs

Mqondisi Dube | Monday June 16, 2025 11:25

But more often than not, organisers of major sport events, particularly football, appear to suffer from cognitive dissonance. They know the truth but always twist the seating arrangement and create their own VIPs outside the men and women, boys and girls that make the event tick. It is the players together with the club's administrators that should be accorded the utmost respect at any sporting event. Given, there are limitations in the allocation of seats, but there should be no compromise in players and club officials occupying the top tier. The presence of other VIPs like sponsors and politicians is noted, but first and foremost, take care of the owners of the game.

This concern comes against a dangerous backdrop where team officials were limited from accessing the VIP area during the just ended DTCB Women's Championships played at the National Stadium. Presumably, the VIP section was occupied by politicians, who included the Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng and their security entourage, as well as the sponsors. Club officials had to reportedly find their own space elsewhere as the top seats were taken by other VIPs. This is not the first time that officials are relegated to the 'lesser' seats particularly during football finals. Even journalists have had to bear the brunt of this unkind treatment where during the initial stages, they enjoy the comfort of the media centre or even the VIP area. But on the final day, where it matters most, the VIP area and media centre become a no-go area for people who have stuck with the tournament through thick and thin.

New VIPs are then parachuted and assume significant importance more than players, club officials and the media. There is nothing wrong with catering for the 'mafikizolo' VIPs, but don't neglect those who have been with you from day one. Remember in most instances, the 'mafikizolo' VIPs will disappear when the tournament starts, only to reappear during the crowning moment. You will be left to face the same officials, players and media that you neglected on the final day. By now, the organisers of the DTCB tournament should have issued a statement, reassuring all that incidences seen at the end of the final on Saturday, will not be on repeat in the future. It is not just the recent incident, there are many other case studies, particularly in football, supposedly due to its popular appeal. A VIP must be a VIP from day one to last, and not be relegated to some biblical Lazarus at the decisive moment