Sports are good, and considering the fact that Covid-19 has re-aligned many things including the education calendar, sporting events wouldn't have come any other time other than this. Now let's face it. For the better part of this year, politicians and political aspirants have been busy "engaging" the young people in sporting activities, with a token for the winner. I call it a token because when the money that the winner gets is divided among the 22 or maybe 18 players of course together with the technical guys, each player will go home with slightly more than 1000. The tournament might go for two or three days with a team playing as many as 3 games in a single day. Let's not talk about the exhaustion and the lack of value for money for the work done. Whatever the young men give on the pitch is never commensurate with what they eventually get! It is a competition, yes I agree and the best team and maybe the top three teams get rewards but do these politicians consider the losing teams? Shouldn't they also be appreciated for their participation? I am not talking about the glucose and the other small benefits, I am talking of some real appreciation, to reward them for the hard work they put in while playing, though, they "lost."
Politicians are one and the same lot, regardless of whether they are on your side or not. Their interests come first. The sporting events we are seeing happening are not for the good of the common man but for the politician. These guys are seeking a milestone and they know that through such they'll draw many to themselves. If these events are what these politicians want us to believe, then we should see them happening regularly. We need to see them supporting the local clubs, which have been marred by financial problems. Some of these local clubs have no sporting attire and the few that have, have themselves to thank. It is not a miracle to see players exchanging jerseys when substitutions are done. The one going out gives his jersey to the one coming in. Some of them play without socks and safety pads, which you and I know that it is very risky. What happens when these young boys and men are injured? Is there any medical cover to cover such unforeseen circumstances? Assuming that they'll be taken care of at the time of injury. What about after the tournament has ended? Will the politicians still follow up and ensure that they get the best medical services?
Let's focus on hypocrisy. I have seen many tournaments organized by aspirants and the sitting MPs and MCAS and even senators, some of whom are eyeing the gubernatorial seat. They package it in such a way that people think all these things are people-centered but the truth that many will shy away from is that politicians are doing this for themselves. It is a silent way of campaigning, as 2022 fast approaches. They never sponsored such events in 2018? Have we asked ourselves why? The tournaments are mainly "men's tournaments." I have never seen any "girls' tournament" organized by these guys. Or if someone has, please correct me. Or should we say, we do not have girls who love sports?
This 2020, let us ask critical questions. Tournaments are good. Sporting events are fun. Small-sized businesses make a kill but who benefits the more?