The teams with the Premier Basketball League status are Cape Town Eagles, Cape Town Kings, Egoli Magic, Johannesburg Olympians, Kwazulu Marlins, Maritzburg Tuskers, Soweto Panthers and Tshwane Suns. There will be a few statuses added when the new league starts in the future. I know Free State has a status of the PBL. So does Port Elizabeth.
The question arise, how much will it cost to run a basketball league? Things are expensive these days. Some say if you enter business now and survive, things will be easy when the economy turns for the better. The experts say recession will continue for the next 18 months or so.
It is critical for each owner of the basketball status to seek sponsorship for their team. This must not be the role of Premier Basketball League Trust, who must seek sponsorship to add on what the clubs have as well as sponsorship for administration purposes. This will include sponsorship for paying referees, telephones, travelling by league officials, their accommodation and all those things. PBL must also seek sponsorship for their knockout competition which must also raise funds for running the league. The teams are responsible for own marketing as well as public relations efforts.
The previous calendar of PBL will refer.
Lets get this straight. According to www.basketball.co.za/calender the are 17 weeks for the professional matches. This does not consider the proposed knockout competition, the All Star weekend and the Four Nations Cup as well as Africa Competition.(This is the responsibility of BasketballSA { PBL must have their own brand. This will assist in the differentiation of the commonly used basketball. })
One status owner probably needs not more than 6 basketball kits. Lets say those will cost not more than R85 000 including basketballs, training gear and other small stuff such as basketball shoes and white socks. The venue must be hired from the local government offices. But that will be done on alternative weekends. For now you may want to hire outdoor basketball facilities. That will be not more than R45 000 when using the college facilities. An arena will be round about R 25 000 for the entire season. Two comfortable combis for the team will cost about R 600 000. Petrol for the year should not be over R 150 000. The money to spend on the road should not be more than R 300 000 which includes accommodation and catering.
Ok folks, the amounts above add up to R 1 205 000. That excludes salaries for athletes and other officials. Also excluded may be administration costs I do not know much of. As business people you can cut the costs of running a team.
With 10 teams, that will be over 10 million bucks.
Once the PBL is up and running, it will be easier to publish in the national media. Broadcast sponsorship will be easily accessible. After three consistent months of the league, marketers will enquire about branding. A few teams will get their own sponsors within a year. Money from gate takings must be asked from the first game. This will breed the culture of paying for entertainment, from the word go. Merchandise must also be sold by the clubs. The must be a corporate PBL basketball magazine unlike the previous Slam Dunk.
That is easy said than done. It can be done, only by the powerful status owners.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Vision for Basketball
I am not going to bother anymore on the days I publish. Let me just say I publish twice a week.
I have read quite a number of articles published on basketball. My main source was http://www.mybasketball.wordpress.com/ It is an excellent blog that brings together people who are passionate about the game in South Africa. The reader will be amazed about the quantity of basketball in South Africa. Subjectively basketball is big. But formal studies count against us. One obvious reason for this is that basketball does not have supporters. With all my heart I know that the sport can attract spectatorship. It is unfortunate that the person from the street will not be able to see this.
One thing that is keeping the game going is the vision of the community basketball leaders. These people have given hope to the sport that we love. They have kept the flame of basketball burning as every year we see new basketball talent. Since these people have a vision of basketball, do the basketball leaders have a vision of basketball?
Hearsay suggest that the Premier Basketball League has had an interim governing structure since the end of their court case with BasketballSA. Yours truly is of the opinion that this is a bad recipe for the reputation of the league and basketball. One should understand that the leaders of this structure have other responsibilities. It is important to note that the Premier Basketball League is a private company. When a person registers a company, they work hard to make it profitable and successful. A company may make a lot of profit. All that can be turned into a loss due to unforeseen events such as BSA taking PBL to court. That has resulted in the sponsors taking away their investments.
Companies can make a comeback. Some just don't. It is business culture. The days of business are not all rosy.
Do the current PBL executives have what it takes to bring back the company from nothing? Past executives had what it takes and there is one lesson we can learn from them. Each contributed so much money for the birth of PBL. History has got a way of repeating itself. What will it take for the present PBL executives to emulate those who gave birth to the PBL, just for one year. The difference between now and when Sprite was running a promotion will be that you will be doing it for yourself. No one is going to do it for you. You have what it takes to make it. You have a person with great credentials in Graham Abrahams who would negotiate with his bosses for a broadcast sponsorship. Supersport need as much content as possible. They sell and their sponsorship could bring them quite a number of subscriptions. They will have a good number of an audience that watches Slam Dunk.
There is a great spectatorship for basketball in the country. There are local leagues available where we can draw those spectators. There are many ways to attract the spectators. We can also introduce a few loyalty programmes for the Premier Basketball League in the first year.
It has been done before. It is up to you as PBL to take a decision of bringing back PBL at your expenses. History can repeat itself and you hold key to that action. The risk that you will take will be worth it.
I have read quite a number of articles published on basketball. My main source was http://www.mybasketball.wordpress.com/ It is an excellent blog that brings together people who are passionate about the game in South Africa. The reader will be amazed about the quantity of basketball in South Africa. Subjectively basketball is big. But formal studies count against us. One obvious reason for this is that basketball does not have supporters. With all my heart I know that the sport can attract spectatorship. It is unfortunate that the person from the street will not be able to see this.
One thing that is keeping the game going is the vision of the community basketball leaders. These people have given hope to the sport that we love. They have kept the flame of basketball burning as every year we see new basketball talent. Since these people have a vision of basketball, do the basketball leaders have a vision of basketball?
Hearsay suggest that the Premier Basketball League has had an interim governing structure since the end of their court case with BasketballSA. Yours truly is of the opinion that this is a bad recipe for the reputation of the league and basketball. One should understand that the leaders of this structure have other responsibilities. It is important to note that the Premier Basketball League is a private company. When a person registers a company, they work hard to make it profitable and successful. A company may make a lot of profit. All that can be turned into a loss due to unforeseen events such as BSA taking PBL to court. That has resulted in the sponsors taking away their investments.
Companies can make a comeback. Some just don't. It is business culture. The days of business are not all rosy.
Do the current PBL executives have what it takes to bring back the company from nothing? Past executives had what it takes and there is one lesson we can learn from them. Each contributed so much money for the birth of PBL. History has got a way of repeating itself. What will it take for the present PBL executives to emulate those who gave birth to the PBL, just for one year. The difference between now and when Sprite was running a promotion will be that you will be doing it for yourself. No one is going to do it for you. You have what it takes to make it. You have a person with great credentials in Graham Abrahams who would negotiate with his bosses for a broadcast sponsorship. Supersport need as much content as possible. They sell and their sponsorship could bring them quite a number of subscriptions. They will have a good number of an audience that watches Slam Dunk.
There is a great spectatorship for basketball in the country. There are local leagues available where we can draw those spectators. There are many ways to attract the spectators. We can also introduce a few loyalty programmes for the Premier Basketball League in the first year.
It has been done before. It is up to you as PBL to take a decision of bringing back PBL at your expenses. History can repeat itself and you hold key to that action. The risk that you will take will be worth it.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Critical Element of Sponsorships
Scholars are of different views regarding the position of sponsorships. Some argue that they are part of the marketing mix. The other group would say they are part of public relations campaign while the last group point out the necessity thereof in marketing communication mix. One thing stands though, that sponsorships are a means of a corporate to assist in a particular platform with the aim of attracting attention to their company or products. Sponsorships are different from the Corporate Social Investment or cause-related marketing where the company aims to uplift the communities.
There are many people who have the passion for the game of basketball. Others like me have started own businesses as they feel strongly about the contributions they can make in the sport. These people go out and make relationships with the marketers of the Corporates that have financial muscles to consider attracting the attention of the consumers through basketball. Having spend invaluable time to make and maintain relationships, they would approach the leaders of the sport with sponsorship proposals. The people entrusted with the administration of basketball will go out of their way to find the particular contacts in companies approached by the people who want to contribute to the sport. They will make attempts of starting newer negotiations with these executives.
This is an example of indiscipline and lack of business acumen. Instead of approaching the Corporates, the basketball administrator must engage with the middle man on the needs of the sport. Perhaps the figures are not good. The middle man is the one who will convince the Corporates. The basketball administrators have no right to approach the Corporates when negotiations with the middle man have started. Rather, they can make themselves available in forums which will help to iron out issues the potential sponsor might have. The issues that the middle man would have no control of.
The critical element of sponsorships is the relationships between the marketing executive and the person who has approached them. A third person will only create confusion in the beatiful work which has already started. The leaders of the sport are doing a very good job of building the reputation of the sport. This builds a good rapport in the sport's publics. The image of the sport comes before the individual, who is just a small fish in a big pond.
Friday, July 18, 2008
History Matters
The results were not so good when I googled the Premier Basketball League in South Africa. In order to know more about the existence of the league, an interested person can log on to http://www.basketball.co.za/ .
I was actually looking for the history of the Premier Basketball League. I can only remember Craig Gilcrhist, my favorite player in that league. There is also Thierry Kita, who is now doing well in the United States of America. He did a lot of work for the Slam Dunk Programme on the public broadcaster. And the Slam Dunk magazine was great. It was published every other month. The Hoops magazine was published at a bad time, when the PBL started to experience problems.
The PBL had a lot going for them. Allied bank which was to form ABSA with Volkskas, Trust Bank and United Bank. Telkom was one of the sponsors. And a few other sponsors.
When you go to pages 22 to 26 at www.sacsa.za.org/documents/BasketballOfficiatingNotes.pdf
you will learn a few things about the dark side of the history of basketball. It is critical that you read the article and make conclusions for yourself. Briefly the story of PBL brought hope to many people. The story of basketball nearly destroyed the love people have for the game, but the passion of the sport has carried many through the disaster.
It is critical to understand the infighting among the people who led the sport in the country. As they sabotaged each other, the sport suffered the most. It has been some three years since the end of a bitter court case and basketball has never really got a sponsor. Netball is much better than basketball, so does hockey. Are the people who are leading basketball still sabotaging each other? Or is there secrecy to the way forward both parties (BasketballSA and PBL Trust) implemented? Have our leaders integrated the sport?
There are many questions I would like ask. As I receive some answers through the documents I find on the Internet, I become stronger. My hope for the future becomes high. I am only scared at the notion that history tends to repeat itself. Does it also scare the Corporate World?
I was actually looking for the history of the Premier Basketball League. I can only remember Craig Gilcrhist, my favorite player in that league. There is also Thierry Kita, who is now doing well in the United States of America. He did a lot of work for the Slam Dunk Programme on the public broadcaster. And the Slam Dunk magazine was great. It was published every other month. The Hoops magazine was published at a bad time, when the PBL started to experience problems.
The PBL had a lot going for them. Allied bank which was to form ABSA with Volkskas, Trust Bank and United Bank. Telkom was one of the sponsors. And a few other sponsors.
When you go to pages 22 to 26 at www.sacsa.za.org/documents/BasketballOfficiatingNotes.pdf
you will learn a few things about the dark side of the history of basketball. It is critical that you read the article and make conclusions for yourself. Briefly the story of PBL brought hope to many people. The story of basketball nearly destroyed the love people have for the game, but the passion of the sport has carried many through the disaster.
It is critical to understand the infighting among the people who led the sport in the country. As they sabotaged each other, the sport suffered the most. It has been some three years since the end of a bitter court case and basketball has never really got a sponsor. Netball is much better than basketball, so does hockey. Are the people who are leading basketball still sabotaging each other? Or is there secrecy to the way forward both parties (BasketballSA and PBL Trust) implemented? Have our leaders integrated the sport?
There are many questions I would like ask. As I receive some answers through the documents I find on the Internet, I become stronger. My hope for the future becomes high. I am only scared at the notion that history tends to repeat itself. Does it also scare the Corporate World?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Marketers are the Trump Card
I publish twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. Most of the work is written in the afternoon, but last Friday I started in the morning. The day of my work came out as Thursday. The reason is the time difference between South Africa and United States of America where this blog is hosted.
I strongly believe that basketball can and will become the number two sports in South Africa after soccer. It will become the number indoor sport. I was tempted to make some comparisons when preparing for this article. But as you might notice, we cannot even make comparisons between soccer and rugby. One reason is that soccer is played across the world, it is a sport of billions. Rugby is a minority sport. In South Africa, it gets what I will call emotional sponsorship since it is financed by predominantly Afrikaans institutions. Afrikaners will do anything to protect rugby and it seems it will stay as the number two sport in the country for some time.
I have been studying the happenings around the Slam Dunk basketball magazine on channel one (SABC 1) for a few Sundays now. The show has attracted on average 680 996 viewers this year. It is produced for those who are 16 years and over, those that have the influence on what parents must buy. The programme attracted only two 30 second adverts this past show, bringing somewhat R20 000 to the SABC. Perhaps the change it made the broadcaster is due to the audience rating ( AR) average of 3.2 which translates to some 15% of adults who watch the programme. Basketball gets not more than 17 minutes coverage on SABC. But coverage is coverage.
So, the marketers do not think of selling their product to such viewership. Or is it the hype of the world football events in the country? Is it the emotions people have for their sports? Is it the attitude that people also can protect their sport as in cricket? There are many questions we may ask on the reasons money is going to other sporting codes. One thing stands, marketers control where the money goes. It is clear that marketers are interested in the content that will make them a lot of money. The kids' programmes are making more money for the broadcaster than basketball. So does late night rather graveyard programmes on television. As a basketball community, we just have to try to influence marketers to consider placing advertisements on the basketball programme.
I have focused on the SABC because I believe we will grow through them or the free-to-air channel. The sport must be watched by the majority of the population to advance in rankings. The people in Living Standard Measure (LSM) 4-7 do not own the decoders. The programme of Slam Dunk has been broadcast mid Sundays for so long that they might as well extend the spot to 2hrs and show live basketball games. My vision is that upon the comeback, the Premier Basketball League will have a prime match every Sunday at 13h00 so that the end of the game will coincide with the preview of a soccer match. It is not that difficult to change the Sunday content on SABC 1, except that the PBL delegates will have to prepare well for the negotiations. They can also negotiate with etv whose content is also easy to change on Sundays.
It is clear that basketball faces a stiff competition on all aspects. There is a lot of work ahead which requires detail, patience, determination as well as a clear picture. Basketball is our sport and we think positively about it. This positive feeling is the first motivation in the crusade to get the PBL going.
I strongly believe that basketball can and will become the number two sports in South Africa after soccer. It will become the number indoor sport. I was tempted to make some comparisons when preparing for this article. But as you might notice, we cannot even make comparisons between soccer and rugby. One reason is that soccer is played across the world, it is a sport of billions. Rugby is a minority sport. In South Africa, it gets what I will call emotional sponsorship since it is financed by predominantly Afrikaans institutions. Afrikaners will do anything to protect rugby and it seems it will stay as the number two sport in the country for some time.
I have been studying the happenings around the Slam Dunk basketball magazine on channel one (SABC 1) for a few Sundays now. The show has attracted on average 680 996 viewers this year. It is produced for those who are 16 years and over, those that have the influence on what parents must buy. The programme attracted only two 30 second adverts this past show, bringing somewhat R20 000 to the SABC. Perhaps the change it made the broadcaster is due to the audience rating ( AR) average of 3.2 which translates to some 15% of adults who watch the programme. Basketball gets not more than 17 minutes coverage on SABC. But coverage is coverage.
So, the marketers do not think of selling their product to such viewership. Or is it the hype of the world football events in the country? Is it the emotions people have for their sports? Is it the attitude that people also can protect their sport as in cricket? There are many questions we may ask on the reasons money is going to other sporting codes. One thing stands, marketers control where the money goes. It is clear that marketers are interested in the content that will make them a lot of money. The kids' programmes are making more money for the broadcaster than basketball. So does late night rather graveyard programmes on television. As a basketball community, we just have to try to influence marketers to consider placing advertisements on the basketball programme.
I have focused on the SABC because I believe we will grow through them or the free-to-air channel. The sport must be watched by the majority of the population to advance in rankings. The people in Living Standard Measure (LSM) 4-7 do not own the decoders. The programme of Slam Dunk has been broadcast mid Sundays for so long that they might as well extend the spot to 2hrs and show live basketball games. My vision is that upon the comeback, the Premier Basketball League will have a prime match every Sunday at 13h00 so that the end of the game will coincide with the preview of a soccer match. It is not that difficult to change the Sunday content on SABC 1, except that the PBL delegates will have to prepare well for the negotiations. They can also negotiate with etv whose content is also easy to change on Sundays.
It is clear that basketball faces a stiff competition on all aspects. There is a lot of work ahead which requires detail, patience, determination as well as a clear picture. Basketball is our sport and we think positively about it. This positive feeling is the first motivation in the crusade to get the PBL going.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Consistency
I stand amazed at the number of basketball leagues around the country. Basketball is everywhere you can find a hoop. The officials of different municipalities do consider basketball in their planning because of the facilities available. These facilities have been put up as part of the creative work of architectures who wanted more money from their artwork. These people have great knowledge in the applications of different sporting codes.
However it is unfortunate that some of the construction companies that erect basketball facilities would not use the quality materials required for the standard of the game. Thus it is critical for the representatives of basketball to get in touch with these construction companies as soon as they know of the construction of basketball courts taking place. They would then discuss the quality of facilities that are erected and refer them to companies that manufacture basketball facilities. In addition they must make sure that the correct measurements are used, on the court and the structures.
Basketball is not published as one would anticipate. The media want consistency of news. If you have the local league that plays one week and three or four weeks later, it will not help the cause of the game. As the stewards of basketball we have taken upon ourselves responsibilities to organise local leagues. Let us focus on the job at hand. We may do it just for the love of it. Let that love have clear vision for the future. Let that love have measurable goals. Allow that love to benefit the people who follow your concept, for they also love what you do. We may get tired at the seemingly lack of action from the owners of the Premier Basketball league company, thinking that they have folded their hands and do nothing. There is only one thing that I know, that these people are working very hard, meeting often to discuss a way forward to the business that is stagnating. These people are aware of the athletes who have hopes and dreams to play professionally.
So, let us be consistent in organising our leagues. The consistent schedule will act as champions for realising the dream of professional basketball in South Africa. This consistency will enable the talented writer to engage with the fourth estate in publishing basketball.
However it is unfortunate that some of the construction companies that erect basketball facilities would not use the quality materials required for the standard of the game. Thus it is critical for the representatives of basketball to get in touch with these construction companies as soon as they know of the construction of basketball courts taking place. They would then discuss the quality of facilities that are erected and refer them to companies that manufacture basketball facilities. In addition they must make sure that the correct measurements are used, on the court and the structures.
Basketball is not published as one would anticipate. The media want consistency of news. If you have the local league that plays one week and three or four weeks later, it will not help the cause of the game. As the stewards of basketball we have taken upon ourselves responsibilities to organise local leagues. Let us focus on the job at hand. We may do it just for the love of it. Let that love have clear vision for the future. Let that love have measurable goals. Allow that love to benefit the people who follow your concept, for they also love what you do. We may get tired at the seemingly lack of action from the owners of the Premier Basketball league company, thinking that they have folded their hands and do nothing. There is only one thing that I know, that these people are working very hard, meeting often to discuss a way forward to the business that is stagnating. These people are aware of the athletes who have hopes and dreams to play professionally.
So, let us be consistent in organising our leagues. The consistent schedule will act as champions for realising the dream of professional basketball in South Africa. This consistency will enable the talented writer to engage with the fourth estate in publishing basketball.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Let Us Unite
As we want the people who are passionate about basketball to have fruitful careers as professionals, there is one thing we need to consider: UNITY.
Basketball is now ranking lower according to the statistics of BMI at www.bmisportsinfo.co.za , number one sports research firm in South Africa. Unfortunately their consultant could only tell me that basketball is going down. It cost more than R55 000.00 to get a copy of their adult track where the public can have access to this information. I guess the corporate world make their sponsorship decisions based on the information such as the one supplied by BMI . It does make sense. After all the decisions are made by smart people who have made it to the top through education and continuous reading of books and magazines. These people are so smart that they do not take anything for granted. It is one of the many reasons that it is important to make through research about them and their companies before approaching them. Decisions are made because they make a strong business sense. There are no sentiments in business.
As we realize that the statistics are counting against us, we need to stand up united in efforts to bring the Premier Basketball League back to the picture. We need to work together by integrating our approaches to offer South Africans alternative sports entertainment. All the local leagues must support the district structures as well as provincial structure. The provincial structure must relentlessly support the national structure which develops basketball. This synergy will raise the popularity of basketball and ensure the positive comeback of the professional body of basketball in South Africa.
Basketball is now ranking lower according to the statistics of BMI at www.bmisportsinfo.co.za , number one sports research firm in South Africa. Unfortunately their consultant could only tell me that basketball is going down. It cost more than R55 000.00 to get a copy of their adult track where the public can have access to this information. I guess the corporate world make their sponsorship decisions based on the information such as the one supplied by BMI . It does make sense. After all the decisions are made by smart people who have made it to the top through education and continuous reading of books and magazines. These people are so smart that they do not take anything for granted. It is one of the many reasons that it is important to make through research about them and their companies before approaching them. Decisions are made because they make a strong business sense. There are no sentiments in business.
As we realize that the statistics are counting against us, we need to stand up united in efforts to bring the Premier Basketball League back to the picture. We need to work together by integrating our approaches to offer South Africans alternative sports entertainment. All the local leagues must support the district structures as well as provincial structure. The provincial structure must relentlessly support the national structure which develops basketball. This synergy will raise the popularity of basketball and ensure the positive comeback of the professional body of basketball in South Africa.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Money makes the world go around
We love basketball, don't we all?
All I can think of on Friday just after midday is the activities of basketball around my neighbourhood. It is great to see youngsters shooting hoops and popping those threes ahead of each other. It is more exciting to see them dunking the hell out of one another. These are the future of Premier Basketball League in South Africa, as athletes, managers or supporters.
Work in the sport should not end in developing sports stars of the future, but building a support base of the future. Sponsorship is about numbers of a crowd you can pull to your event. The potential sponsor is looking at ways to get a return of investment on an event, be it gaining more clientele or developing brand value of their product through awareness. Their sponsorship end up being a brand of choice among the supporters and people who prefer alternate products.
Some years ago the South African Broadcasting Corporation commissioned a research which pointed out that basketball has the potential to become number two sport in the country after soccer. That is a mountain to climb considering the sports trends in the country. Rugby is aligning itself with soccer. When there is a rugby test or the Currie cup, there will be a radio sports commentator at the rugby match. They will broadcast rugby concurrently with soccer. That gets the listenership of rugby on par with soccer and will contribute to the dwindling numbers of basketball. The broadcasting of matches are sponsored. In this case rugby and soccer share ABSA as sponsor who would agree to such sub-broadcasting agreement.
I have a dream of the success of basketball. One day, I want to walk in an arena full of supporters. I want to hear the sound the crowd will make in anticipation of a 360 degrees slam dunk made from a fast break. I want to see passionate people wearing their basketball merchandise. I want to see basketball being counted as the number one indoor sports in the country through sponsorship revenue and supporters. There is a long list of things I want for basketball and I know you have the same or bigger vision as well.
There are local leagues across South Africa with the hope of the return of Premier Basketball League. As we co-ordinate those leagues, let us think of ways to attract support base of the game. This will tremendously assist the business men who have invested a lot of money in acquiring the statuses of the professional basketball teams from the Premier Baketball League Trust.
All I can think of on Friday just after midday is the activities of basketball around my neighbourhood. It is great to see youngsters shooting hoops and popping those threes ahead of each other. It is more exciting to see them dunking the hell out of one another. These are the future of Premier Basketball League in South Africa, as athletes, managers or supporters.
Work in the sport should not end in developing sports stars of the future, but building a support base of the future. Sponsorship is about numbers of a crowd you can pull to your event. The potential sponsor is looking at ways to get a return of investment on an event, be it gaining more clientele or developing brand value of their product through awareness. Their sponsorship end up being a brand of choice among the supporters and people who prefer alternate products.
Some years ago the South African Broadcasting Corporation commissioned a research which pointed out that basketball has the potential to become number two sport in the country after soccer. That is a mountain to climb considering the sports trends in the country. Rugby is aligning itself with soccer. When there is a rugby test or the Currie cup, there will be a radio sports commentator at the rugby match. They will broadcast rugby concurrently with soccer. That gets the listenership of rugby on par with soccer and will contribute to the dwindling numbers of basketball. The broadcasting of matches are sponsored. In this case rugby and soccer share ABSA as sponsor who would agree to such sub-broadcasting agreement.
I have a dream of the success of basketball. One day, I want to walk in an arena full of supporters. I want to hear the sound the crowd will make in anticipation of a 360 degrees slam dunk made from a fast break. I want to see passionate people wearing their basketball merchandise. I want to see basketball being counted as the number one indoor sports in the country through sponsorship revenue and supporters. There is a long list of things I want for basketball and I know you have the same or bigger vision as well.
There are local leagues across South Africa with the hope of the return of Premier Basketball League. As we co-ordinate those leagues, let us think of ways to attract support base of the game. This will tremendously assist the business men who have invested a lot of money in acquiring the statuses of the professional basketball teams from the Premier Baketball League Trust.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Let us get PBL on track
I have been in basketball for as long as I can remember. My all time favorite basketball athlete was referred to as "the best there is, the best there ever will be". That was in the National Basketball Association' s sports commentators on Michael Jordan. There was a great hope for me in basketball for the future. I dreamt of going to the NBA even though I was to be only 6ft tall and not much of a player. I did coach the Provincial women team to the SASSU competition though.
One event caused the demise of basketball. A court case between the Premier Basketball League and Basketball South Africa. Briefly, the PBL was a private organisation whose activities were perceived to be not conducive to the growth and development of basketball in the country. This in that the PBL had no administrative relationship with the stewards of basketball in the country, Basketball South Africa.
This court case did a lot of damage to basketball in South Africa. What was once the fastest growing sport has become the most stagnant sport in South Africa. The two groups were so focused on their righteousness that they forgot the people who make the sport to tick, the athletes and supporters. These are the main people who make things happen.
Today, basketball in the Republic of South Africa does not have direction. We have great people who are passionate about the game starting own leagues, others in private capacity through companies and others publicly. What comes to mind is the League of Professionals in Johannesburg, the Metro Basketball league and the Gauteng basketball league. We have other leagues outside the Gauteng Province which are in the public sphere. I am amazed at the love that stills exists for basketball. I am deeply touched by the men and women who stand up for basketball. The sport is truly one of the best in the world.
The corporate world has distanced itself from basketball , but the game still lives.
South Africa, what can we do to attract the Corporate World back to basketball? The court case of PBL as SABasketball is over now. It has been quite for a long time. People are hungry. Imagine the jobs that can be created through the re-birth of the PBL.
It is each one of us' responsibility. Let us share ideas, South Africa. What can we do to reclaim the position of basketball in the country?
One event caused the demise of basketball. A court case between the Premier Basketball League and Basketball South Africa. Briefly, the PBL was a private organisation whose activities were perceived to be not conducive to the growth and development of basketball in the country. This in that the PBL had no administrative relationship with the stewards of basketball in the country, Basketball South Africa.
This court case did a lot of damage to basketball in South Africa. What was once the fastest growing sport has become the most stagnant sport in South Africa. The two groups were so focused on their righteousness that they forgot the people who make the sport to tick, the athletes and supporters. These are the main people who make things happen.
Today, basketball in the Republic of South Africa does not have direction. We have great people who are passionate about the game starting own leagues, others in private capacity through companies and others publicly. What comes to mind is the League of Professionals in Johannesburg, the Metro Basketball league and the Gauteng basketball league. We have other leagues outside the Gauteng Province which are in the public sphere. I am amazed at the love that stills exists for basketball. I am deeply touched by the men and women who stand up for basketball. The sport is truly one of the best in the world.
The corporate world has distanced itself from basketball , but the game still lives.
South Africa, what can we do to attract the Corporate World back to basketball? The court case of PBL as SABasketball is over now. It has been quite for a long time. People are hungry. Imagine the jobs that can be created through the re-birth of the PBL.
It is each one of us' responsibility. Let us share ideas, South Africa. What can we do to reclaim the position of basketball in the country?
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