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Kass Naidoo

Green revolution grips SA

2007-10-19 10:58

Kass Naidoo

A green revolution is taking South Africa by storm, and even those who aren't ardent rugby supporters have been happily caught up in the festivities, as the Springboks prepare to battle England in the Rugby World Cup final.

In the midst of RWC mania, all 38 000 tickets for next weekend's Currie Cup final between, would you believe it, the Lions and the Cheetahs, have been sold out. One thing's for sure, those who market rugby can teach other sports in South Africa a thing or two about creating real hype.

The poor state of first class cricket continues to be a hot talking point among fans, but I'd still like to disagree with those comments which suggested that the SuperSport Series can never be revived.

Until every avenue to promote four-day cricket has been exhausted, we can't give up and assume that it's not commercially viable. Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has gone on record asking why it is that sponsors want to know what they can get out, as opposed to what they can put in.

Last August when I quit my week daily sports radio show on SAfm to launch an initiative aimed at raising the profile of women in sport, many laughed, saying I was wasting my time because "women's sport is dead".

I took a chance and over a year later, we are seeing tangible change in the way the media are treating our female sports stars. I know it's a long journey to reverse the situation, but it's not impossible.

Genuine support

And that's the attitude I'd like to see from those who have a vested interest in provincial cricket. The situation is unlikely to improve if attitudes stay the same. As Niels from Somerset West was at pains to explain to me via email, all six franchises need to seriously consider strategies to refresh their brands and increase the appeal of their products.

If we want to continue producing quality Test cricketers, we can't expect the first class structure just to exist without genuine support and interest in improving its image, and with the excuse that nothing will change. We're in the era where the success of every product relies heavily on how it is branded.

There is a huge opportunity for a sponsor (or an inspired group of them) willing to look further than 2010, personal gain or corporate strategy, to bring a version of a well-loved game back into our lounges, to create a buzz big enough to guarantee the interest of the national broadcasters.

But this will require three ingredients: A key focus on inspired planning, a significant marketing budget, and the will to make it happen. Fold in, stir, add a little South African heat, and the possibility of another cricketing success story is not that far away.

South Africa is sports crazy, and there couldn't be a better time for corporates of all shapes and sizes to find a niche, and get involved in improving the state of sport in the country. No doubt a Springbok win over England will go a long way to reuniting this country.

Go Bokke!

  • Kass Naidoo is editor of gsport... for Girls!

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    Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.

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  • Comments have been closed for this article.

    Theuns Kruger 10/19/2007 11:15:46 AM
    Nobody will pay any money or waste their time to watch the drivel displayed as "first class" cricket. Steve Kompela will "fix" rugby in the next two years, so don't be jealous of rugby.
    VINCENT NKHATHO 10/19/2007 12:17:17 PM
    WE NEED TO MOVE TO NEW VENUES AND TRY HARD TO GET NEW SPECTATORS.TO CONCENTRATE ONLY ON WHITE PEOPLE AS SPECTATORS IS NOT WISE. PLACES LIKE SPRUITVIEW,ORANGE FARM,VOSLOORUS ETC CAN BE USED TO DRAW NEW SPECTATORS..IF YOU TEACH THEM THOSE SO CALLED WHITE SPORTS.
    Christiaan 10/19/2007 12:51:47 PM
    The game of rugby ends on Saturday in this country! I will never watch it again because nobody appreciates non-competiveness! I want to see a team made up of real competive players of whatever race is available. But quota rugby will not appeal to anybody, whether black or white and the sport will die a quiet death! Even players like Bryan Habana will fade in this senseless and deliberate stabbing of a fine sport!
    Woden 10/19/2007 1:10:41 PM
    We need a super 14 type structure for 1st class cricket. A little international spark might be just what is required. It could apply to 4 day, one day and Twenty 20. In limited overs I would like to see the six treated like a no ball... the bowler must bowl another one. It would be tricky for the scorers, but no target would ever be out of reach.
    marcov 10/19/2007 1:18:05 PM
    Hate to bring it up Kass. Up until now Rugby has been the only "Merit Based" sport in SA. Hence the success of Rugby vs. Cricket, Soccer etc. Cricket will do better now that quotas have been dropped by Cricket SA. Fans do not want to see a half-baked below par team defending the nations pride, only the best players for the job at hand. GO BOKKE!!!
    goonsquadonline.com 10/19/2007 1:18:08 PM
    Why would I want to go an watch a first class game these days? As much as I prefer the longer version of the game, its hardly a cheap day out. Food is expensive, drinks are expensive and service levels are poor at stadiums. Regarding sponsors, I dont believe they have a duty to fulfill by anymeans. Sponsorship is an investment. Why would I invest in something as poorly run as local sports these days? Quota systems, politics, low crowd attendence. WHY?
    RONALD PILLAY 10/19/2007 1:39:06 PM
    Hi Kass,alot can be done to improve different sporting codes in SA.One thing that i feel can make a difference in most sporting codes is the price of tickets,most of the prices are to high for a man in the street to afford.I feel cheaper tickets and a packed stadium is better than expensive ticket with hardly any spectators to watch the match.A packed stadium will create a better atmosphere for any team and also make the sponsors happy.
    niels 10/19/2007 1:43:26 PM
    How do you know it is drivel when you probably don't watch it? The only way you can watch 1st class cricket is if you go to the grounds. And going to the grounds is unlikely as the grounds won't tell you when the game is on.
    BoKFaN45000001 10/19/2007 2:01:08 PM
    Thanks for you lively and inspiring contribution Kass but with those oldstyle SACOS nutcases banging on about transformation allied with non-delivery on the field in the guts and/or glory department fans and sponsors just find other things to do. By the way the real villain is Butana Khompela - Steve is a fairly respected ex captain of Bafana Bafana. BoKFaN45000001
    Think ahead 10/19/2007 2:06:54 PM
    take 1 step back in order to take 3 steps forward.
    Matthys Human 10/19/2007 2:23:40 PM
    Theuns Kruger, you are 100% correct. Miss Naidoo does not even mention the real reason for the circus that the so-called franchise cricket has become : the strict race quotas introduced by the ANC puppets in cricket's administration. And after Saturday, rugby will go the same route.
    Mxondikaqaqarharhra 10/19/2007 3:10:18 PM
    U r absolutely messed up.Pity your kids!. This country does not deserve people like u. Misinformed from birth to HATE Blacks.Your comments R littered with subtle racist propaganda.Flights are available2 the country of de Aborigines!
    Gerrit 10/19/2007 3:19:05 PM
    Dear Think ahead Taking one step back in order to take three forward? Where on earth have you heard THAT?? This is not dance-class my friend, it is international sport, where a step back could possibly mean falling off the edge of the cliff and disappearing into the abyss. If you do want to throw around a quote, here's one- TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT
    lebo 10/19/2007 3:34:35 PM
    You possess so much hate in your hearts! Where did you learn to hate darkies like that!damn, you guys are beyond redemption!Do you hug kids?
    BokFan45000001 10/19/2007 3:40:04 PM
    Could ?Think Ahead? be of the "Thabo Mbeki School of Philosophy."? Is he like his role model, also a Medical Genius and Continental Saviour? Tragically there are several millions of South Africans, many of them of Zimbabwean origin who will attest to the weakness of Big T's theories in practice. With one exception of course "A Better Life for the Few....at the Expense of the Many" Enjoy the Rugby Thabs.
    Howell 10/19/2007 3:55:16 PM
    Wake Up !!! The only racists on this platform is the 2 of you, Reality in the making will happen tommorow when we beat the pommies witout any qoutas, why do you allways wanna go back to the past ??Why do you always want everything for free, you need to work for what you want.Call me racist if you want, it is a democratic country afterall so it is all by choice, and when all whites do leave SA as suggested, you will live in ZIMBABWE 2!!
    BokFan45000001 10/19/2007 4:12:12 PM
    Who said anything about hating blacks? You appear to have been spending too much time reading Big T?s ramblings about race etc. It takes export quality paranoids like you two to spot all this subtle racism abounding in Mzansi, the rest of us just get on with dodging the bullets ,hoping to see a Bok win tomorrow before taking one for your next free lunch. By the way, I wonder how much whingeing Lucky Dube?s family , friends and fans are doing today. Maybe they should also get in the ticket queue.
    Gerrit 10/19/2007 4:12:24 PM
    Dear Lebo and Mxondikaqaqarharha(poor fellow- what a name!) Why are you guys so defensive? The only comments made were against unfair discrimination in sport. Itseems as if gov. is punishing the minority in order to "set things right." How on earth will that accomplish anything? Choose the most talented person for the sport, regardless of their colour, guys! C'mon!

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