OPINION: Struggling SA sport codes need to be promoted if they are going to grow
Not enough was done to get South Africans behind the national teams competing at the men's and women's Hockey World Cup tournaments.
South African sports codes face numerous challenges in growing their popularity, despite recent successes in qualifying for international tournaments. While the national hockey teams are set to compete in the World Cup, the question remains: what comes next? It's commendable that the SA teams are striving for the highest level of competition, but there are deeper issues that need addressing.
One major problem is the lack of promotion for these sports, a point highlighted by the low interest in the build-up to the championships in Belgium and the Netherlands. This lack of excitement has led to reluctance from local broadcasters to secure broadcasting rights, possibly due to concerns over low viewership. The national hockey federation has been grappling with funding issues for some time, with the sport unable to pay head coaches and receive sufficient sponsorship.
The government's recent intervention, providing R3 million for the players' travel, is a step in the right direction, but it's just one solution among many. The real challenge lies in promoting these sports to boost fan interest, which in turn encourages mainstream media coverage and increased sponsorship opportunities. While government support is crucial, it cannot be the sole answer to this ongoing problem. Sports federations must also take responsibility and find ways to sustain their growth.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
