SA took its eyes off the ball

It is a deeply sad state of affairs when a country like South Africa, who hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is still unable to implement a basic technology like the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in their football leagues.

This failure reflects a larger problem within the administration of the sport in the country, a problem that extends beyond just the technical aspects of the game.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has struggled financially for years, with the federation’s coffers seemingly running dry and the government being begged to step in to pay the national team coach’s salary.

This is a clear indication that the leadership within the sport has failed to properly manage the resources at their disposal. It is even more concerning when one considers that FIFA provided South Africa with a R100 million legacy fund after the 2010 World Cup.

This money was meant to be used to develop the sport in the country, to invest in grassroots programs, and to nurture young talent. However, it seems that this money was not properly utilized, with no tangible benefits being seen from it a decade later.

If the South African football authorities had been financially savvy, they would have invested the legacy fund wisely, perhaps in a high-interest savings account or in other financial instruments that could have yielded significant returns over the years.

The interest accrued from this fund could have been used to establish provincial academies for talented youngsters, providing them with the resources and coaching they need to reach international stardom.

The failure to implement the VAR system is just one example of the larger problems that exist within the sport in South Africa. While other countries have embraced technology and innovation in football, South Africa seems to be stuck in the past, unable to adapt to the modern game.

It is a shame that a country with such a rich footballing history and a passion for the sport has fallen behind in this way. The Premier League has just secured a massive R900-m sponsorship from Betway.

But in the opening four matches of the season in the MTN Top Eight, we have seen some horrendous refereeing decisions which have intensified the urgent need to implement the VAR system.

By virtue of being custodians of football in the country, the VAR is the prerogative of SAFA. They are the ones that have been mandated by regions and local football associations to train, develop and appoint referees.

Sadly, and through their own admission, SAFA is near bankrupt and cannot implement the system. The scarcity of Rands in their bank account has even forced them to consider approaching the Minister of Sport to assist in the monthly salary payment of the national senior coach.

I still maintain that for failing to provide VAR to a league that offers R15-m to the champions in prize money, not to mention the R30-million a year distributed to each club as grants, we have shamefully taken our eyes off the ball.