Safa Cape Town president, Bennett Bailey, might not have got what he initially wanted – to stand unopposed in the region’s elections on Sunday at the University of the Western Cape in Bellville, but no one will prevent him from taking up office for an unprecedented third term as there is absolutely nothing his rival Eric Gum can do about it but to watch in awe, or disgust.
In fact, even if Gum had been given more time to campaign, it would not have made any difference. So, the ‘honourable’ thing to do and say is probably to congratulate Bailey for his victory – albeit under a cloud of controversy.
It’s not always that the best man wins, and that’s the irony.
Which actually brings me to my point… This is a football space that Bailey operates in and we all know too well that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but as long as fair play reigns supreme. But was this really a fair contest?
It’s also no secret that some individuals would go to extraordinary lengths to hold onto power and that is exactly what has transpired here.
Yes, the Cape High Court has ruled in Safa CT’s favour, but in matters like these it’s sometimes subjective and the coin does not always fall favourably for those striving for justice.
Be that as it may, another thought to chew on, how many times have we not heard these very same football administrators and even politicians utter slogans like “A child in sport is a child out of court.”?
Well, judging by how many times the Cape football Mother body had to appear in court to put out fires, has dispelled their proclamations and has already sent out the wrong message – even to those who follow blindly.
Safa CT have been to court so many times over the past two seasons, rumour has it that there is a special courtroom marked ‘Soccer Affairs.’
Not forgetting the dark looming cloud pertaining to issues like the Masita sponsorship of over R3 million that was butchered, the ‘missing’ Palestine funds where there is another court case pending, coupled with the thousands of rands they had to fork out on legal costs, the lack of accountability and respect to publicly apologize to his former treasurer Wayne Weitz as instructed by his own DC.
Despite the absence of accountability, Bailey sadly remains the ‘People’s Choice’ in the local football fraternity.
And yes, Bailey will be running the show for a third term – 12 years all in all – but at what costs did his victory come as there is so much reputational damage done that is irreversible – but knowing The Buffalo, as Bailey is called, he couldn’t care less because he has played his hand by now which showed the public it’s all about winning.
Theres aalso nothing really to show for the previous eight years if one ca be honest.
But yes, Bailey will continue to enjoy the perks of being the football boss in the Cape Metropole for the next four years (who knows, he may even run for a fourth term in 2030) and he will probably be jetting off to the World Cup soon, but the question that one must ask is what legacy will he leave behind – if any?
Will Bailey be remembered for a positive contribution to local football? Or will he only be remembered as the person who did not know when to vacate the top post in Safa CT football?
Only time will tell – and a legacy will show the contribution which The Buffalo has made to the Beautiful Game in Cape Town.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY ASHLEY VLOTMAN
