SEDIBENG.- In case there is anyone who is not aware, the year is almost over, wake up and smell the coffee!

Zakes’ Sports Corner isn’t into New Year’s Resolutions yet.

The question, however, that we need to ask as a region and individuals are what have we achieved in 2024? Is there anything specific that we can claim we achieved as the region when it comes to sport?For instance as a region have we hosted any major sporting event?

The answer is yes!

The region actually hosted two major running events, namely Athletics National Championships and Vaal River City Marathon. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for football. Zakes’ Sport Corner can’t even remember when was the last time this region hosted a major football event in the past five years. Those Motsepe Foundations Championship and DSTV Diski Challenge games can’t be regarded as major events.

Yes, I just said it without shame!

Like Zakes’ Sports Corner said in previous columns, in this past this region used to host big football event such as Four Nations Tournaments. It has been while since our region hosted such an event. Zakes’ Sports Corner challenges Dr Molefi Oliphant to come back and help our local football to organise such a high profile football event. We need his experience and expectations amidst our football. Oliphant is a man who established himself as a par excellence football administrator in South Africa. This is the same man who saw the country host a successful 2010 World Cup under his administration. Oliphant joins annually to host the successful Vaal River Marathon.

As a region we should swallow our pride and go to him and talk to him – ask him to advise in our local football structures. There is no way we can turn a blind eye as if his is non-existent. As a region we need to do some introspection, to say the least. There is no way Oliphant can run a successful athletics event and not a football event.

How so? The man is a football guru!

Zakes’ Sports Corner doesn’t blame him for taking a backseat and watching how fools run amok. As a region we failed dismally to acknowledge this man as the former SAF President and also former SAFA Sedibeng President. People like Ntate Oliphant will distance themselves from our football because we don’t appreciate their contribution in our programmes. How can one explain, to people who don’t know, that Oliphant is a SAFA Lifetime President but host a big athletic event?

We have to ask what about our football?

Zakes’ Sport Corner believes we pushed him to the point where he is simply not interested in anything regarding football in this region. Zakes’ Sports Corner challenges local football administrators to go to Oliphant and enquire how best he can help this region to host a major football event once again.