TIM ZULU writes@SunZambian
THOSE in construction will tell you that there is always a time when builders start searching for broken bricks and most often it is that same half brick that when rightly fixed on the gap completes the work at hand.
Factor that scenario to football. Teams whose tireless efforts of their committed players with different character and skills win their teams’ promotion to the Super league, but again there comes a regrettable time at the end and beginning of new season calendar, when the true picture of who remains with the team and who goes under beckons.There now lies the bone of contention, much as it is time for players to celebrate their efforts of qualifying their respective sides to the country’s top tier football, the other side of the brain gets mutilated with fear of being left out to where they wanted to be, the holy land of elite football.While it is soothing to hear here and there where Civil Authorities promise certain players some kind of city status privilege, which in itself is commendable, but again the same Civic Leaders and to some extent Clubs themselves from these very cities, what is it that they are doing for their now heroes who after winning them promotion to the super league take turns to honour them with something tangible at least before their boots are deemed unfit to continue their journey with them.Perhaps this is where Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General and Patron of newly promoted Prison Leopards from the Eden University League, Doctor Chisela Chileshe scored a first when he employed all the footballers, coaches inclusive as fulltime Prison Officers. What a gesture!This simply entails that whether some (players) make it in the team or not they will careless, knowing very well their monthly take home is well guaranteed.atleast such players will walk with their heads high knowing very well that come what may, they have full employment under their belt with their life and future of their families well positioned.We also look forward to hear what good plans Kitwe United, Indeni and indeed Young Green Eagles under the able Chairmanship of Lieutenant Colonel David Chinunda if not the Civic Leaders of Kafue town on what is in store for the players that won them promotion for the first time in history and hand a return to the super league respectively.For instance Kafue town will be hosting big teams next season and that translates into some good economic spillovers to the town in many sectors and thanks to the players who made it possible.But just in case these same faithful generals are not in the roll call or plans of their mentors in the coming season what would become of them especially if they can’t find new teams or even reasonably honoured in respect to their efforts?Will they go in the heaps of history without any meaningful appreciation and become like those broken bricks that are ignored, thrown away and probably forgotten for good as they pave way for other legs to take up that which they worked hard for.
May be yes, maybe not but it is high time these teams started honouring these boys who worked hard for the image and badge of their respective teams or let them become laughing stocks and destitute not even without land to point at after giving it their all.
