Those who think that the Varsity Football tournament is just one of those kick-and-giggle affairs better think again, writes Charles Baloyi.
There is more emphasis on winning than just giving young players a run in matches. But I have my reservation about the format of the competition. My take is that it’s not a good idea to make the inaugural year an open tournament.
This should be used as part of developing young students and not for old post-graduates who are climbing over the 30-year gate – but the stakes are high with everybody having their eyes on the first prize. It’s an experience of a lifetime for the players as they will be kept busy and entertained throughout the year.
It’s a short tournament of only nine weeks. Coaches don’t want to experiment and they demand good performances every week. Which means inexperienced and young players get to warm the bench and older players get the nod. But why only wait for next year to implement age restriction when it could have been implemented at the launch?
This tournament comes with a lot of support – financially and in terms of marketing, and the players are also under pressure because they want to impress because they are on TV and they will want to play all the matches. But they will need their universities to understand that they will play away matches and tests and academic assignments might need postponements especially on match days. This will be a real test for players as the tournament progresses.
But this competition prepares them to maintain a good balance between their social, academic and football lives. And when they go into a different environment they will be used to that professionalism.
The players have to attend their classes, keep focus and be able to balance sports and studies which will teach them discipline. The attendance at the games continues to increase in numbers.
Fans are there for free t-shirts, entertainment and the quality of football dished out. This is what some of the Premier Soccer League clubs must do.
Charles Baloyi is the Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer.
