Prominent Mamelodi Sundowns supporter, Robert "Mzekezeke" Nkosi believes some of the reasons for the poor attendance figures at the PSL matches have to do with lack of freebies, not being allowed to bring your own drinks and food. Read on in this interview with Soccer Laduma's Vuyani Joni how the Chloorkop-based club's supporter thinks attendance can be improved.
Vuyani Joni: Mzekezeke when we last spoke, you mentioned the increased ticket price as one of the reasons why fewer supporters are attending PSL games. Some have also complained about not being allowed to bring their own food into the stadium, while others are not happy that, unlike at cricket or rugby matches, alcohol isn't sold in some stadiums.
Robert Nkosi:My brother, that's true. During the 2010 World Cup, where I attended eight games, for instance, they sold alcohol at the stadiums. I remember they sold it in plastic containers from as much as R35. If you check, in Europe, you can see people enjoying their drinks and there's a good vibe at the stadium. Obviously the alcohol is limited and you never see anyone throw those plastic containers onto the field. Why can't we experiment the same system in the pre-season friendly games? I have seen people smuggle their bottles into the stadium and they never cause any problems for anyone. Look, I'm not condoning drinking at the stadium but I'm just trying to solve a problem by trying to understand those who want to drink when they are watching football.
VJ: Mhh… interesting Mzakesman!
RN:You see people throwing missiles sometimes and you wonder where they got them from because everyone is searched at the gate. That means, as tight as the security is supposed to be, people still manage to smuggle their stuff into the stadium. Now, if everyone knew there would be drinks available before the game and at half-time, no one would even think of bringing their own stuff in. The same goes with the food because it is too expensive. If you look at the Royal Bafokeng stadium, that's a first-class stadium right there my man! You will find people way before the game because there's a section that looks like a picnic area where supporters can sit and enjoying a drink. They have a bar and sell drinks in plastic containers. Football is entertainment and we can't take that fun away from the supporters. Whether we like it or not, some people want to have that drink at the stadium. Now people aren't attending games and rather organise get-togethers to watch it on television. We need to get people back to the stadiums.
VJ: Right.
RN:Us supporters, we are like kids. You hit your kid now and give them a sweat and they are happy again. All is forgotten. Nedbank gave t-shirts, scarfs and other gifts to those who arrived early at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium. Do you have any idea how happy those supporters were to get those gifts? They may look worthless to some people but to us, they have a sentimental value because they will be a reminder that we were part of that game. That little token of appreciation from the sponsor goes a long way because when you get back to your township, you let everyone know that you were at the game. They can all see that you came back with something. I'm sure if we can do these little things right, I promise you, the attendance figures would definitely improve.
VJ: Some interesting points you raised here mate, thanks for your time. Keep recruiting more members to fill the stadiums man.
RN:You are welcome bro, we will continue to try and hopefully some of these points will be considered soon.
Guys, what do you think of the drinks, food and gifts at the stadium?
Please share your views in the comments section below.
Cheers.
VeeJay
