Kavazovic�s toxic media relations unhelpful
Staff Writer | Friday January 19, 2018 14:44
He has previously complained - and later apologised to an online publication - after he accused the publication of peddling falsehoods.
At one stage he declined to grant media interviews, in violation of a standing protocol.
His remarks after the Rollers match against Sharps Shooting Stars landed him in hot soup with the authorities, resulting in a P10,000 fine.
Despite the sanction and his earlier climb down, Kavazovic’s appetite for bare knuckled confrontation appears ballooning. Kavazovic seems to suffer from a persecution syndrome, where he sees shadows even where they don’t exist.
On Wednesday, after his team’s encounter against Uniao Flamengo Santos, Kavazovic added Mmegi to his pile of perceived enemies.
He accused the newspaper of printing falsehoods about him, and said that was part of a ploy to force him out of the Rollers.
In a video recording at the end of the match, Kavazovic said the paper had written countless lies about him, which he later expanded in a series of Facebook messages.
Initially, the Rollers coach sent a message apologising for his outbursts. He said it was meant to be a friendly joke but admitted it was a “stupid joke”. He offered an apology which he posted on Twitter, and the video, was pulled down from the Mmegi Facebook page as a sign of a truce.
But the evidently infuriated coach, returned posting a series of what he deemed were the offending articles published by Mmegi since he took over at the beginning of the season. He claimed people wanted to see his departure and that Mmegi should be patient as he would be gone in a few weeks.
Kavazovic said he would not take any interviews from Mmegi in future, after accusing the paper of amongst others, influencing the Botswana Premier League to fine him for his statements after the Sharps game. But to our full knowledge, the BPL has an internal dispute resolution body, made up of people of integrity and we would not want cast aspersions, by assuming that they are not in full control of the processes and are therefore, meek and easily is swayed by the media. Kavazovic also refuted another report where Mmegi Sport had mentioned that a certain section of Rollers supporters, was not happy with his selection and tactics (an issue which still remains contentious up to date, for Kavazovic’s benefit, he should check random social media comments). The coach must know that this goes with the territory. Mmegi has since taken up the matter with the club’s public relations officer, Bafana Pheto who had not reverted at the time of going to press.
However, Kavazovic should be reminded that there is no sinister agenda against him as a person or Township Rollers coach. The coach, in our view, fails to offer comprehensive evidence that there is a plot, by Mmegi, to uproot him from the Rollers position.
Mmegi does not have any power to appoint, or disappoint at Rollers. Kavazovic as a senior club employee, should be fully aware that Mmegi does not feature, in any form, in Rollers’ recruitment procedures. His arrival, stay or departure at Rollers is beyond our control. Our communication with Kavazovic is on the premise that he is Township Rollers coach, and not in his personal capacity.
Kavazovic should have been professional enough to lodge a formal complaint with Mmegi soon after the publication of the first offending article. He should not specialise in ‘grudge holding’ which does not aid anyone concerned in the matter.
We are more than willing to normalise relations, based on sincere engagements. Egos will only mean it is the grass that suffers in a tussle, which could otherwise be resolved amicably. We do not want to stand accused of abusing the pen, and for sake of football and progress, we publicly extend an olive branch to Kavazovic.- Editor