The Sunday Mail
The World Cup is behind us and what a huge sigh of relief in some households, those that could not stomach the two, or at times three, matches per night schedule.
But as Sepp Blatter remarked this past week, the Brazil soccer extravaganza could have been one of the best in history, in terms of attendance, colour, drama, goals, suspense and television coverage.
Who will ever forget Luis Suarez? James Rodriguez? Robin van Persie? Guillermo Ochoa (especially that game against Brazil)?
Thanks to Zesa (Zimbabwe’s Electricity Sometimes Available), there were times when some of us had to be forced into bars, pubs or sports bars to catch the action.
And I am not sure if I am a peculiar soccer fan, but it really turns me off that you walk into a so-called sports bar to watch a soccer match and the public address system in that bar is playing some loud music (never mind the taste).
I find it rather annoying, in fact disrespectful by the bar owners, that the majority of the patrons are watching a soccer match and the DJs are playing loud music, drowning the emotions and expressions that would be coming from the live broadcast.
Sound is a powerful and integral part of any sporting event, reason why some prefer to attend sporting events, so that they can be part of the atmosphere.
And this attitude becomes too annoying when patrons know that the loud PA system is linked to the televisions, such that they could be enjoying match-like atmospheres in the bars.
Besides, linking the PA system to the televisions helps with the commentary, which is another integral part of watching soccer matches. A lot of trivia is said by commentators during a soccer match, trivia which makes soccer fans all the more knowledgeable about their game.
When Miroslav Klose scored the record-breaking goal to make him the leading World Cup goal scorer, I bet those who were watching in loud sports bars missed the essence of the historical moment, unless they knew prior to the game that a record was on the verge of being broken.
Or would have woken up the following morning to read it in the papers, assuming that they were fortunate enough to lay their hands on a newspaper.
My point is, if you are going to pride yourself as a sports bar, and seeing as it is that it is a match of immense interest and proportions, why not cater for the majority of your patrons and connect your public address system to the matches so that fans, your patrons, enjoy the atmosphere, both in the stadiums and in the bars?
What is the point of playing loud music that no one is even listening to?
I once raised this complaint with management at Paramount Nightclub at Chikwanha Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza sometime last year, must have been during a European Champions League match, and I was told that “not all of our patrons come for the soccer”. It was the same explanation I got when I asked the DJ at Boomerang in Glen Norah during the recent World Cup.
It is for this reason that, all things being equal, I would rather watch my football, or any sporting event for that matter, at home. The only downside, that is for me, is that I am a lone sporting fan in my household, and I usually run the risk of dozing off during a match and waking up (and I don’t know why always) when the final whistle is being blown. But, interestingly, there are some sports bars which value their football-loving fans, such that they bring the ambience of the stadiums into the bars.
Ligi Mabelreign is one such place. They only get to play music during half time.
Last Sunday I really wanted to watch the Harare Derby, what with the media noise that had preceded it, and thanks, once again, to Zesa, I could not.
I had tried not to risk my $3 by going to the National Sports Stadium, mainly for my personal security and secondly for the health of my eyes. The last time I attempted being one of the “45 000” that pack Rufaro Stadium for such an encounter was a disastrous one, as the end of the match saw tear gas billowing through Mbare.
Besides, the match was not really a spectacle, something which I strongly suspect led to me being prescribed some stronger lenses later when I visited my optician.
But it looks like the gods have smiled on us, as another “Battle of Harare” (no wonder why the fans take it literally) is on the cards this afternoon and the reverse fixture for last Sunday’s game is on, again, next Sunday. I am not really a keeper of these statistics but I am sure it must be one of those rarest occasions that the two teams have met three weeks in a row.
Which should be enough to settle any disputes as to who has more muscle. Life is not all about football and soon we are going to be bombarded with Big Brother Africa, which whether you are for the concept or not, gives the continent a lot of comic relief. I know there are some, especially within the clerical world (and I hope this is not to be mistaken for clerks) who do not approve of the idea of undressing, drinking, smoking and what-not before a live television audience. All the same, come September 7, the 91 days of back-biting will begin. It is on the same night that the country will get to know who will be representing it, could be they two housemates, as has been the trend in the recent years? Is it a boy and a girl? Beautiful and dull (as always)?
One thing you cannot take away from the reality show, though, is its power to take people to another level. Those who have utilised the platform well, particular reference to Vimbai Mutinhiri, have gone places. Some, particular reference to Pokello, have gotten married. Some, particular reference to Roki, have done a duet with others (Mampi).
So all the best luck to whoever will be representing us this year.
Tonight sees the première of “Thor: The Dark World” on M-Net and M-Net Premiere at 8pm and 8.30pm respectively. This is a sequel to “Thor and Chris Hemsworth” returns to save his home, his true love and the universe from the Dark Elves. This is a must-see for sci-fi buffs.
As we work towards migrating to the digital platform by June next year, we will leave ZTV for the time being, as they have more pressing issues to attend to.
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