Too many chiefs and not enough Indians
Catch them young - Egan Naidoo's son Ruven will be sure to cheer for Liverpool FC.
Image: Supplied
THEY were as scarce as minibus taxi drivers who use indicators. There were hardly enough of them to form a WhatsApp group chat. In fact, I've seen more of them waiting in line for a free tasting of spicy Nagiah's sausages on a Saturday morning. Who am I talking about? I'm referring to the number of Indians who actually attended South Africa's premier club soccer knockout tournament for the fiercely-contested Nedbank Cup at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium a fortnight ago.
The riveting match saw Kaizer Chiefs ending a painful 10-year trophy drought when it clinched a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates. And only a handful of Indians were among the 60 000 spectators. One 12-pack of Amstel would have been more than sufficient to keep the spirits up of the sum total of charou football fans who made the effort to attend the Soweto Derby where they were inconspicuous as a drop of water in the ocean - or like needles in a haystack.
Meanwhile, at the same time, thousands of South African Indians, a spiritous drink in hand, would have been watching Southampton vs Man City, Fulham vs Everton or Ipswich Town vs Brentford on television at home, at Clive Pillay's 501 Sports Bar in Chatsworth, or T's Action Bar in Phoenix.
Now what is it that induces local Indians to support English Premier League football, or even European soccer for that matter, more than they do South African Premier Soccer League matches? Local Indian football fans can rattle off the names of all the Liverpool and Manchester United players - and the reserve squads.
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They have at their fingertips all personal information about European footballers, including age, nationality, contract duration and market value, and I won't be surprised, even their partners' names. Yet most of them will not be able to recite volubly the names of more than two or three players with individual PSL teams, or even Bafana Bafana to boot (pun unintended).
Local fans of European football, much like their counterparts around the globe, can be incredibly passionate about their favourite teams, sometimes to the point of obsession. Check out the wash lines in Indian suburbs the day after a major match and you will see either Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona shirts hung out to dry. Some die-hard supporters tattoo their team's logo, name their children after players, or refuse to associate with supporters of rival teams. I know of fanatical followers who will travel across the world to back their team in a cup final.
Yet, they will not buy a stadium ticket for Soccer City or Moses Mabhida for a major PSL game. Obsessed football fans see their club as part of their identity, leading to intense rivalries and sometimes irrational hatred toward opposing teams. Football games stimulate an emotional rollercoaster: wins bring euphoria, while losses can lead to frustration and even anger.
The emotional highs and lows deepen their connection to the sport. There is big business in football teams' fan paraphernalia - jerseys, scarves, t-shirts, tracksuits, caps, hoodies, jackets, ties, socks, watches and jewellery. Some take their obsession to another level and will even sport (pun unintended again) underwear with Liverpool's logo, the mythical liver bird, or Man United's ship and lion with a helmet. Whether those Y-fronts or briefs with team badges enhance bedroom performance during nocturnal goal-scoring games is the stuff of fantasy and fanaticism.
My opinion. Devotion to football clubs starts early - and can continue for a whole lifetime. Children and adults alike will have birthday cakes made up in the colours and logos of their beloved teams.
Liverpool is known as The Reds, after the colour of their kits, so when faced with a choice of colours for a new car, no prizes for guessing what hue those who mumble "You'll Never Walk Alone" in their sleep, will choose. The adoration of football clubs continues well into death for some fans.
Coffins are often draped in the colours of the favourite team. Visit the Mobeni Heights cemetery and you will see several headstones that celebrate the spirit of football fans.
Speaking for thousands of local Indians who are European football buffs, Egan Naidoo who is an ardent Liverpool admirer said local PSL teams were not disrespected outright because they produced some immense talent that has even been exported to foreign clubs. However, the emotional connection to European clubs, he said, was due to greater global exposure, high-quality matches, captivating narratives, and star players.
Naidoo said the English Premier League was extensively televised and streamed, making it easily accessible to local Indian audiences. This constant exposure has introduced fans to the league and its clubs, fostering a sense of familiarity. He said football leagues throughout Africa were under-funded and lacked strong talent development, causing Africans to follow European football tournaments more than they support their own at home.
Also, young family members were influenced by the older generation, reinforcing loyalty as fathers passed the baton of English football clubs to their sons.
Naidoo added that there is a South African connection at Liverpool's home stadium Anfield. The most iconic stand within it is the Spion Kop, renowned for its atmosphere and is a symbol of Liverpool's passionate fanbase. The name "Kop" originates from the Battle of Spion Kop near Ladysmith in January 1900 where many soldiers from Liverpool were killed by Boers.
The South African Indian community has a long and vibrant history of supporting local football - but mostly teams that had majority white players such as Durban City and Durban United and Indian players such as Manning Rangers, Berea, Avalon Athletics, Bluebells United, Swaraj, Verulam Suburbs and Tongaat Crusaders.
Curries Fountain stadium in Durban was once the mecca of non-racial soccer during a time of racial segregation. As these clubs disintegrated mainly through lack of sponsorship, and faded into oblivion, Indian soccer fans rooted more for overseas clubs than local teams that comprised mostly Black players. And such patronage has nothing to do with racism but brand strength.Local football fans like to support world brands.
The English Premier League has effectively built a strong brand which is reflected in its consistent focus on delivering high-quality football, attracting top talent, and engaging with diverse audiences. . Many European clubs also enjoy tremendous brand strength.
Real Madrid which is reputedly worth $6.6 billion is not only the world's strongest football club brand but also ranks among the strongest brands globally, surpassing renowned names like Google, Coca-Cola, Ferrari, and Rolex. Real Madrid's strategic investments in star players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham has boosted its revenue through increased matchday and merchandise sales, while enhancing global visibility and fan engagement.
While South Africa boasts strong national cricket and rugby teams, the national football team Bafana Bafana is doing something wrong and is placed 56th in FIFA world rankings. The 2010 FIFA World Cup had mixed effects on soccer in South Africa. While it boosted domestic infrastructure, including new stadiums and improved public transport, it did not lead to significant improvements in Bafana Bafana's performance. When the national football team plays badly, any wonder then why local football fans look abroad for entertainment?
Yogin Devan
Image: Supplied
Yogin Devan is a media consultant and social commentator. Share your comments with him on: yogind@meropa.co.za
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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