Interesting article on sahorseracing.com

RACING NEEDS LEADERSHIP

2009 will signal one of the toughest years ever for horseracing, both on the global front as well as on the South African racing scene. The economic crisis, the credit crunch, full blown recession and possible depression could mean the end of the copious amounts of the leisure rand being freely available. In fact, it will be a dog fight to attract this segment of the market.

Horseracing in South Africa suffered the indignity of over-confidence when the monopoly on gambling ended in 1997. The advent of the National Lottery and the opening of casinos in all major cities in South Africa has taken its toll on racing by applying the squeeze on the spend of racing pleasure seekers. The industry was thrust into dire straits facing crisis decisions and ever dwindling bottom-lines. However, thanks to a booming South African economy, the rand spend suddenly found impetus again, much to the relief of an ailing racing world.

Unfortunately for racing that short-lived cycle is over, recession is upon us, the global economic meltdown has cautioned clients with rands to spend to turn their attention to debt relief measures. Hence 2009 will spell the beginning of the most difficult period in South African racing, only this time around, the industry is fraught with petty politics, nepotism, self interests, parochialism and transformational window dressing. Reticence to change and adapt to the the new circumstances may herald the death knell for many a racing executive. Without delving into specifics at this stage, it is important to find a solution. Racing needs strong leadership, people who can stand up and be counted, individuals who have racing at heart and the will to restore the image of the sport to what it once was. Currently, administrators in general take a negative stance on criticism. There is little constructive dialogue and empty promises. The wrong people are placed in positions of power due to cabal political agendas instead of finding the best person for the job with the most experience barring parochial attitudes and racial issues. Racing simply needs people who count and strive for the betterment of the sport.

The industry has also effectively silenced the media by the shrewd procurement of outspoken media militia and by sponsoring newspapers to print industry-positive articles. This engagement of guerilla marketing casts anyone with a disparate view as a maverick and undesired by the industry executives - a monumental mistake. In the growth of the racing game, it will stagnate opinion, destroy free thinking and banish open comment. We need to understand our industry, the good, the bad and the ugly and embrace the elements in order to understand their points of view. This industry cannot afford to be divisive in a trying time, when the real enemy is lurking on every city centre front in glittering lights and luring ambience, it is our time to bond and shine. It is also time for the industry role players to elect apposite individuals in leadership positions, engage their customer base and understand the needs of the racing nation.

We are being let down by a few groups who are trying to destroy the industry that we so dearly love and treasure. We are divided by individualism, self indulgence and ego drivers. We need a change and we need it now. This industry will not survive in its current state if we do not grasp change and liberate ourselves from these tribulations. It is time to stand up and be counted.

Here Here Throubleshooter.

Vague hypocritical stone throwing from outside the tent is always easy.

And where exactly are all these 'apposite individuals'?

There is major tramsformation at all levels in horseracing.

But as usual, the race card always comes into it.

Get a life and show you really love the game.

hi cuckoo n ts;

even more interesting comment by freeracer on this article,'the article is written in such haughty, over-our-heads language that it will take a Wiliam Shakespeare to interpret it. Wonder who they got to write it, probably some asshole struggle politician with an English degree and nothing better to do...'

The inference does not require a rocket scientist to connect or know whom he is referring to! He is definitely going to have to explain the allusion!

Looks like he's really putting his foot into it despite an Equality Court charge pending and SAHRC investigation for criminal race hatred speech/writing.

I have a serious problem when a competent journalist makes such scarifying, degrading comments about an individual without naming him/her; coward! These are the sort of people who perpetuate racism behind a facade & paper walls!

To Umlilo and whoever else you represent

Once and for all, lets go to court, pretty please, I am ready to defend myself against all I have said and will say.

Unlike the writer of the article in question my name is next to my written pieces, always. This nonsense must go all the way and come to an end now. Watch for a few surprises in the process. I will expose the hypocrites for what they are.

Whooo... foot in it... whoooo.. explain allusion... whooo coward!

I am shaking in my grass hoppers.

freeracer can you post who you are in the thread at top of the page

freeracer:

to date, i have conducted myself with dignity & respect for due process & even yourself.

You are free to comment. However, you have consciously & vindictively brought in just two elements- English BA Graduate and struggle heroes; why? What's with you?

You used 'struggle hero' in your derogatory, direct reference to me in the article which is before the SAHRC, and for which you apologised so profusely- forget?

No individual needs your type of insults being hurled without reason, justification or provocation- I don't know you from a bar of soap! So, if you know what's good for you, I am explicitly warning you; back off!

As for getting on with it, you will get your day in court! Who the hell are you to dictate?

I wont respond any further until we meet in court.

Adios bookie:

This is pre-empting the process.

However, Yes!

Anyway, I have intended that whatever the settlement (legal process allows for that), I will donate every cent to some sort of effort at promoting horseracing- not a dime for myself.

I have already requested a figure for the horeracing trust.


Besides, it's not the numbers- there are far more serious issues involved here than meets the eye, which can have far-reaching implications if not resolved/challenged openly.

To refer continuously to Afrikaners as sjambok-wielding racists, oppressors, murderers, with the chant 'one bullet, one boer', etc is not on!

I can reveal that the slant on 'struggle heroes' is being viewed extremely seriously by some veterans & there is every likelihood that they are going to turn up at court.

I am still for resolution (from a position of strength), respect and understanding of our diverses population!

Is this the same Adios Bookies who refered to the afore mentioned article as
"Total crud" on freeracer.

Adios Bookies;

it will take a lot to unsettle me!

you don't know me, my track record or the type of people I work with and what I do; as such, i can take umbrage.

we'll attend when we come to the bridge!

tnx, not being dictatorial, but the matter is closed- no offense!

"we'll attend when we come to the bridge " should read, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

semantics, i know, but please do try.

partyline:

semantics 'are' correct-

can be that we mights not cross the bridge when weeze comez 2 it n we sees how far, wide, safe, steady, how deep/shallow/rough the water/sea, how high/low the bridge.....

need I carry on? I is really trired!

If your comment was in good banter, take mine also in the same vein!