Makepekepe Cry Foul
THE CAPS United family was shocked and left in disbelief by an exaggerated, misrepresented and sensationalised headline and article in NewsDay to the effect that our Board Chairman, Advocate Lewis Uriri had said on behalf of CAPS United that we wish Dynamos to get relegated.
This was reported to have been allegedly said at our weekly Press conference yesterday (Thursday).I presided over the Press conference in my capacity as Head of Marketing and Public Relations as well as the Media Liaison Officer of CAPS United and its associated institutions. I remain the sole custodian of the official record of the Press conference.
I am able to categorically state that the headline and story, in so far as it suggests that as an institution we wish the biggest club in the country relegated is not only grossly misrepresented, but borders on abuse of journalistic privilege.
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| Makepekepe Cry Foul |
The net effect of Dr Uriri's statement was that our Premiership is very competitive.
He pointed out that the top 10 teams are separated by nine points, which translate to three matches.
It therefore means that any of the top 10 teams is a potential title contender.
He specifically singled out most of the teams presently in the top 10.
Dr Uriri said that he wanted the CAPS United players to remain focused and help the CAPS United family realise the dream of winning the local championship and conquering the region.
He said the league championship this year is very tight with strong title contenders.
When he mentioned the title contenders for this year, he mentioned teams in the top 10. He was asked whether the omission of Dynamos was deliberate.
His reply was that it was not deliberate, but that Dynamos had had a bad start to the season.
He emphasised that they have picked up their game and would soon be on their way up, and that it would be good for local football for all teams to be as competitive as they could be.
Dr Uriri then mentioned that Dynamos have started picking points and would probably be in the top 3 by Match Day 15.
He was emphatic that it would be good to have a competitive Dynamos vying for honours.
He then jokingly said it would be equally good for Zimbabwe football for Dynamos to play in the Northern Region Division One.
He added, in jest, "imagine 40 000 fans watching Dynamos playing Flame Lily in Division 1?"
This light moment was obviously lost to NewsDay, alternatively was deliberately sensationalised.
This was never meant to suggest that he or CAPS United, wanted Dynamos to be relegated. Everyone who was at the Press conference clearly took that as a joke.
He went on to say that if Dynamos continued picking up points, it will bring competition, which is good for the game.
As much as we are football rivals, we share a great relationship and heritage with Dynamos.
It would be a tragedy for the Premiership should Dynamos be relegated.
It is not a secret that Dynamos play a pivotal role in Zimbabwean football. Without Dynamos and their legion of fans, most teams in the Premiership would at the very least struggle and at the very worst be bankrupt.
It is a public secret that every team in the Premiership looks forward to the competition and financial benefits of a Dynamos match.
Every team, CAPS United included, has the potential income from a Dynamos match in their cash flow projections.
Critically, without Dynamos amongst other teams, the Premiership would lose its appeal.
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