Local athletes should exploit the Media
It is about time both local sports authorities and mentors shift their attention to ensuring that local athletes are prepared to address the media and the public in a confident and inspirational manner. The situation of national team star athletes who lack confidence and awkwardly fidget and panic during public engagement continues to spiral out of control.
It is often unfortunate and saddening to see a prosperous and promising athlete excelling in the field of play only to shy away from the lights and cameras because they lack confidence to address a crowd. There have been numerous recent cases where some athletes just freeze because they lack the confidence to express themselves.
It has happened so many times in Botswana where top athletes will literally runaway and shun media interviews. This chronic lack of public relation skills is costing athletes numerous opportunities outside their field of play.
A case in point could be a sad sight that saw, one of Botswana’s top local star seemingly froze on stage at a world international event. Despite loud cheers from the floor, begging the athlete to speak, the athlete only stared at the multitudes without uttering a single word. The audience badly wanted to hear the athlete address them, some even having travelled from across borders just for the athlete. However, they returned home disappointed and pained.
At some local competition, another star athlete made journalists literally beg for an interview. Complaining of being overcrowded and needed time to cool down. Ignoring whatever plea to grant journalists an interview thrown their way, the athlete even turned down the Television interview! Shocking!
Heelang, babegadikgang kana batloga ba khubama! Bowing to an athlete young enough to be their Son or even grand daughter. The athlete would simply look the opposite direction! Ke fa ke swabiletota! I even walked away!
I could not help but notice recently when one athlete won big at the Botswana Awards held in Gaborone. He was lost for words and it was assumed it was just excitement, however, it later proved embarrassing when the athlete told journalists that his coach should field questions on his behalf. He struggled to express himself and what the award meant to him. He felt unbothered and was seemingly very uncomfortable.
What boggles the mind however is that when the same athletes compete outside, they easily grant foreign journalists interviews. Others fumble, yes, but with time they get comfortable or easily throw in Setswana phrases to ease the pressure.
I will not even try to forget the day another prominent athlete phoned me, hurling insults and threatening that we should never cross paths; unhappy about what I had written. I simply laughed it off! I hear they label scribes two faced snakes. But that is the nature of the job, no loyalty lines there.
What remains a major concern however is that local athletes seem to neglect the fact that Sport has a short lifespan. I have heard some brag in corridors, “I am good, I do not need the media to prosper and all I need is my talent.” Sad, there is nothing sad like a forgotten hero, postretirement people will completely forget this once mighty athlete and they will be labelled unsung heroes. There are some of them that the public keeps wondering about their whereabouts, should Batswana be so clueless about one of their own?
Sport is struggling and investors are not coming, sponsorships cannot come if sponsors do not know who they are sponsoring. A beautiful way to touch souls is to address the public, share concerns and struggles, only then will people be proud to see you raise the country flag high.
Moreover, arrogance only makes people resent an individual, even when someone is good enough in their sport career; a humble, approachable and kind heart beats all.