SA20 success a lesson for all sports

The SA20 has captured the imagination of the cricketing public — and none more so than fans in Gqeberha. There was huge disappointment when the opening game of the tournament between the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings at St George’s Park was abandoned due to persistent rain on Wednesday last week. Amazingly, about 6,000 spectators stuck around in the shelter of the stands waiting in vain for the rain to abate.

One could tell there was a hunger for quality cricket action and that was evident again on Saturday when the Sunrisers hosted Durban’s Super Giants in their second fixture.

The venue was jam-packed with fans and the only available seats were in the top tier of the Duckpond stand.

Kudos not only to the fans but also to the Sunrisers’ marketing team for handing out orange T-shirts to patrons at the gate.

The orange blanket that was created around the stadium was nothing short of spectacular as fans sang and danced to the resounding tunes of the St George’s Park band.

It was an enjoyable experience though the team lost. Let’s hope Monday’s game against the Pretoria Capitals pulls an equally sizeable and enthusiastic crowd.

SA20 league commissioner Graeme Smith and his team must be commended for the quality of the product they have provided. The tournament has been a breath of fresh air and even fans at home have been entertained royally by the frenetic action on their television screens and by the new faces in the commentary team.

There was concern that it would be tough to replicate the success of the inaugural edition, but many observers believe the second instalment has exceeded expectations.

The tournament shows that sports enthusiasts will pay to attend top-quality sporting events if they are well-organised and loaded with national and international stars.

There is a lesson in this for all sports codes — try your utmost to make events appealing. Respect and consider the needs of the supporters and they will turn out in their numbers.