Thabo Dladla (right) and Styles at Izichwe (Photo by Peter Alegi)

‘Talking Football’ by Thabo Dladla  (Echo, 5 August 2010)

The euphoria and excitement that grew around football during the recent World Cup are not likely to boost the beautiful game in South Africa. If our attitudes do not change towards this predominantly black sport, it will remain a stepchild of South African sport for many years to come.

Rugby and cricket will continue to receive support from businesses and decision makers.  The black elites’ children attend private and formerly white high schools which promote rugby and cricket . . . [codes] which enjoy the best sporting facilities, all the way up to university level. The few facilities available to football are either poorly maintained or not maintained at all.

The system continues to support the rich and politically powerful. there are many black faces leading institutions such as schools, universities, municipalities and government departments, and yet football continues to struggle.

At university level rugby enjoys huge sponsorship and coverage on television while football [does] not despite the huge number of students who play the game . . . The young men and women in this age group should be competing in U20 and U23 competitions. The Izichwe Youth programme based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal strives to address some of the challenges faced by the needy youth.[The program receives support from Ilawu B.B., National Lottery, Metropolitan, Adidas and Viking Stavanger FC in Norway.]

The rich and powerful call for more police and prisons. Yet the country requires youth programmes to empower our youngsters socially, economically and academically, to shape their future. I would like to see a change in attitude from those who make decisions in government and business.

It is not only the rugby-playing children from middle class families who have dreams. Patriotism is not only about carrying flags and singing national anthems, it is more about caring and supporting your fellow citizens.

[Click to listen to podcast with Thabo Dladla and fellow coaches.]

Three games to go, two in Oslo, and the other, a short long-boat trip across to Iceland. Norwegian commentators may yet still have a chance to report on heaps of vanquished Macdougalls and Macedonians [Norway plays Scotland next], bloated, floating in the Fjords.

Norwegian football first came to global prominence in 1981, when Norway beat England 2-1
in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo. Scandinavian football was transitioning from amateur to professional. Many Norwegian footballers had other day jobs. It was a proud moment, best described by the late great Norwegian radio commentator, Bjørge Lillelien.

Norwegian football built on this famous 1981 victory producing professionals that have graced the best leagues in Europe. Norway qualified for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, at one point finding themselves accused of being the 2nd best team in the World by FIFA’s
ranking computer.

The man behind Norway’s success then was Egil Olsen. The Professor. The Coach in the Wellies. The Card Carrying Member of the Norwegian Workers Communist Party. Despite Norway’s relative success, most neutrals prefer to remember Norway as purveyors
of boring football, instigated by Olsen’s long ball philosophy.

But just when you thought you were safe from long ball sorties and you could write Norway off, he’s back. Back from Baghdad via Wimbledon.

Norway’s first game under Olsen’s new management was a February friendly away in
Dusseldorf. The Professor gave the Germans a lesson in how to lose 1-0 at home.

Connoisseurs of the game may chafe at the prospect of Norwegians lining up 4-5-1 in Cape Town, but there will be more than a few South Africans with reason to cheer for Norway.

The “Norwegian South Africa Committee” was founded in 1958, providing scholarships to black South Africans. The chairman was Mr. Gunnar Jahn who, at the same time, was a member of the Nobel Peace Prize committee. He played an important role in the decision to award Chief Albert Luthuli the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961. Other Norwegian organizations followed establishing funds for the victims of apartheid and led boycott campaigns against South Africa. By 1977 the Norwegian government was funding the African National Congress through various churches, charities and consulates.

Norway supported The Struggle. This support will not be forgotten should Norway qualify for the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

We will be watching John Carew and company closely in their remaining qualifiers. The Tartan Army invade Oslo in August.