Mozambique Vodacom National League 2008
‘Quintin Denyssen wins 2nd PRO title’
On the 20th of December 2008 I got to witness history being made, at the Maxaquene stadium in Maputo, when Quintin Denyssen helped Ferroviario beat Maxaquene in the final of the Vodacom National Basketball League.
Game 1, which was played on Friday the 19th of December, of the best of 3 series went to Maxaquene who came back from 25 points down to win the game by 2 points.
Game 2 was a must win for Ferroviario and Quintin Denyssen came up clutch with a free throw that sealed game 2 for Ferroviario and kept their title hopes alive.
In game 3 Quintin Denyssen came up big once again with a 12 point outburst in the fourth quarter which put the game out of reach for Maxaquene and sealed their fate as runners up of the inaugural Mozambique pro league.
Ferroviario had beaten Maxaquene in the finals the last 3 times they met and this championship made it four in a row.
But it wasn’t Denyssen’s offensive contribution which made history but the fact that he won a championship with the Soweto Panthers in the Sprite Professional Basketball League 2 years earlier with the Soweto Panthers. He also won an LOP amateur title in 2008 with Wits Alumni. These two professional titles, in two different countries, in two inaugural pro leagues, with two different teams is the first achievement of its kind for any South African player. It’s one for the record books and should be recognised by South African basketball fans and administrators alike.
Ferroviario, who is ironically sponsored by Vodacom’s competitor Mcel , walked away with 150,000 meticals which is equivalent to R55,000.
Speculation is rife that the next season of the Vodacom Mozambique pro league will commence in June 2009.
Article supplied by Tshepo Ditshego
Sipho
You are right man,Remember the story in the bible of the lost sheep,When one sheep was lost, Jesus went search for that lost sheep and find it,Unknown is that lost sheep we need to find him/her bring amongst the 99 sheep,so that we will be in the same journey.Probably he/she will contribute to BSA l instead contributing to SAB
Joe
I will leave the GBL guys answer about market research but I feel that If we want this League to be big and idea of that sort wouldnt be bad to try out.If it doesnt work out then GBL must re-evaluate their strategy.Atleast we would know we have a bunch of people that I trying.I look at the poster designed for the Launch,that says alot on how they are trying to impact the game.Maybe that R30 will attract people.Maybe people will say ‘damn SA is going places’.Maybe they will want to come see what this R30 brings in terms of entertainment.
Hence I dont have a problem with it if its once off,for the launch.And then revert to the R5.What makes us think that R5 will draw people to come watch when they didnt come when it was free?!?!
The biggest problem we facing is that communication is limited. The people who know whats happening in basketball are those who have access to the internet. Most of the stakeholders in basketball dont have the net and the only way basketball has been publicised is through the internet. As much as administration want us to pay R 30 a pop we need to see some sort of advertising for those who cannot access the net. It is part and parcel of South Africa we need to cater for all stakeholders.
The Dream
Like you name man……I think with the posters designed and connections with YFM,that shouldnt be a problem.Gbl has a site,posters and access to radio.With the current R30 maybe they can go to print advertising as well besides news articles.
Kim
My Sotho is terrible but, o opile kgomo lenaka, if people were not prepared to attend games for free last year, why would they attend for even R5? Also considering that some of the “fans” are people from loxion who have to travel from Kasi and also feed themselves, and as a card carying member what if I want to bring my spouse or kids to the games would they pay?
Personally, I think that this decision should have been discussed with us the stakeholders before it was publicised, this goes back to my Consultative Model of management. Righ now I feel that I have been reduced to a consumer rather than a stakeholder, hence my need for counselling.
We need to give ourselves some credit. People will come for the launch and they will pay R30.00 to get entry the question is not all games wil be like the launch and the marketing department of GBL will have to be on their toes to make sure that this event lives up to expectation.
Im lucky to have been involved with Cabby and we all have seen what he can do. If you really believe in quality products and money well spent lets go watch the games, if its outside your price range well we will tell you about it the next day when you suffering from a hangover from the R 280.00 bottle of Hennessey.
Joe, not every needs consulting, otherwise people will be stuck in boardrooms and nothing will be done. If it where according to you, perhaps you would have prefered a board that just sits and discuss things. Well, we are different, even at Pro Sport, when decisions are made by the person in a particular portfolio, he is trusted with that decision (good or bad) unless it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the decision was made to discredit basketball. This is how things get done. Discussions can only raise differences in opinion, but one can only make an informed decisions based on experience so I will take my chances with R30 at the door and use that as my base going forward. What if we get 1000 spectators irrespective of the price? I’m sure everyone who disagrees with this amount will be quick to come with reasons why it was such a success. I say wait and see. This year does not only cater for bball heads, but also dancer fans, who paid R70 to an event we did in Ormonde (yes all 5740 of them). If dance can command these numbers at these costs, whas R30 for a fullday event. The launch target market includes the bball heads but not exclusively, in fact, if anything, while baskebtall tries to find its place in people’s hearts, I believe that the dancers will be in the majority, so I am not even worried about the R30.
And yes, I am a capitalist nigga, the entire country is. So I wouldn’t even entertain your capitalist comment Joe. Regarding the lost sheep, yes I was aggressive to him/her, I have to defend the basketball and GBA brand and will not let it be compared to booze. I guess thats why we have other people to be all diplomatic about it. Personally, I think people must be careful when they start typing on this forum because what ever they say, will be commented on. I am in no way saying they must not state their minds, but they should be ready for what will come their way whatever their comment is on this forum.
Cabby
The poster on the website does not say anything about the entertaiment, hence my wondering about the price. Also, as I said earlier, I personally will pay for a Darkchild produced basketball even, but I am not sure about others. I think as much as Pro Sport is private, it is important that registered clubs and individuals are made to feel part of GBL and not just consumers of a product. As a marketer you must be aware of Relationship marketing which sees the client not only as a consumer but also a stakeholder. This is important cause as a client I will spread the gospel much willingly, I know that this can very tidious but it should not be ignored.
Also, I am not sure if people we have the same understanding of consultation. In my book it one does not only consult in order to reach consesus, but also to gain support and to test theory, marketing terms this is usually achieved through Surveys. Thus a small scale survey would have sufficed as consultation, especially in a minority sport as bball whose population is limited and more especially the GBL population.
Lastly, the Capitalist comments are meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Lol.
Joseph, you know such consultations all end up with 3 people responding let alone coming to the meeting. People are generally ignorant and ready to criticize that sometimes it is just better to go with a gut feel. Personally, until I really see people really putting an effort into making basketball a better sport, its just going to be hard for me to believe that any sort of survey, meetings or otherwise will give us any conclusive decisions, simply because people would rather keep quite than engage. We agreed on gettting people to get into structures of the GBL particuarly in the regions, well, I dont even know if any of these structures are running, but everyone on this forum keeps talking about development and getting involved. I am sure they are involved and doing good things in their own right, but if the structures are not filled with people with great minds, what is will all the small little efforts achieve? My point is, we have just too many ingorant people in basketball that doing any of the consultation work leads to nothing. Case and point, we have emailed all club managers/coaches (and posted on the website) about a meeting that is happening (Sun 10am) where we will be discussing our year plan for GBL. This is where we where hoping we will give out all the information to the club owners/managers/coaches to get their buy in. We asked that people RSVP, well do you want to guess how many people RSVPed? Keep guessing, I’m sure you wont be far off. So there, hence I say, we make decisions, and hopefully they are the best for the league. However, if people have suggestions to make the league better, like I said before on this website, they are more than happy to call or email. I always take my calls and always reply to my emails and good suggestions will definately be highly considered.
Cabby
I think you guys must continue working to be ready for the day and us as clubs assist by making your life easier becos we are not.I include my team as well.I believe the launch is going to be big.I have seen some clubs on Facebook pushing the launch and am sure that it will be a success.
Joe
I remember Cabby inviting people to email him with regards to how the league should be and I am sure that many people didnt do anything.I remember BSA at the seniors requesting suggestions for the whole week but I will be surprised if they received anything.What I have realised with Bball people is that we just wanna play and hence sometimes decisions are taken on our behalf.
Consultations are good though regardless whether people respond or not.
Kim & Cabby
I totally agree with you, calling a meeting or inviting suggestions is almost futile in Bball. However I believe that, a telephonic or email survey to relevant people, ie GBL clubs, will not be such a waste of time.
GBL GAMES
ARE THE GBL GAMES GOING TO BE PLAYED AT WITS HALL ONLY?ARE TEAMS GOING TO HAVE HOME AND AWAY GAMES
The schedule and venues will be made available on http://www.gbl.co.za. All this information was given at the clubs briefing at the yesterday meeting (Sun 10am) which the majority of clubs including some people on this forum did not show up at. But in any case, keep checking the website for updates.
A little bit of PR there, Cabby.
Paying spectatorship in basketball has to begin somewhere, and the GBL is a place. The action can only enhance the brand value of basketball. When the content is exciting, people will always buy tickets to be entertained. The R30 is an indication that something is going to be better.
Paying spectatorship is also a process. It builds on each event. If 10 people pay to watch and enjoy the content, 30 will come in the next session. The point is to keep that R30 consistent with the content getting better and better each session.
Paying spectatorship will eventually extend to the national team. It will also be an attraction to live television broadcast. There is logic behind that. If Joe is willing to pay R30, how many other Joe’s around the country would be willing to pay that amount? The people we think would not pay for a service are usually less than those who would affirm. For example, I know Tom loves basketball, but is jobless to afford R30. But if basketball is in the heart of Tom, he will pay regardless. The example is based on top supporters in soccer. I see Botha everywhere in Bloemfontein during the day. Where does he work? He once asked a pal to sponsor his trip to Durban. I see Saddam at each game Chiefs play. He only get a free ticket for home matches.
A process of paying spectatorship will change the landscape of basketball. Again Slam Dunk has over a million viewers. That is not far from the 1.5 average viewership of soccer, considering that the same sport enjoy massive advertising and free publishing.
When we pay, we are making a statement. We will be one step ahead of other indoor sports. Think about it!
Cabby
I hope you were not refering to me regarding the attending of the meeting (lol).
Guilty as charged!
Joe
It would have been nice to receive an invite but I have trust in Cabby and the crew so its not that bad anyway.I had sent my ideas last year already so my input has been done and now you can pronounce innocent based on the facts provided or I will have to go to the constitutional court(lol)
Emails where sent to all the clubs representatives, sending out emails has proved not to be the best way to communicate as some emails can be down or people may not receive the email for what ever reason, hence the decision to post all relevant info on the gbl website. It is now upto the clubs to keep checking the website for any updates regarding the league and related matters. Its better when we shift responsibility so that clubs can blame no one else but themselves.
I take it that I am officially cleared!!Its nice to have my day in court!
Let the games begin!!
Hold on Kim, theres still another month to go.
Neo
You have no idea man,I want these games to start as in NOW!I have a funny filling that you and Fumani wont be at TUT.I know that VUT is bringing their A game this year and hopefully will get to see how Wits Alumni will do with some news of Egoli BORROWING some of their players.UJ……well with Coach Badi at the helm,you know that things are surely going to heat up.CUT,TUT and TUKS will most probably be trying to be the underdogs and prove they deserve to be in PREMIER.
Wits Univ will most probably be quiet once again and prove that 2008 was no fluke and with Terry as coach you guaranted passion right there.Then we have the team of stars……lets see what the have to bring to the party.Egoli is taking this serious and should begin as the favourites behind UJ.Doesnt matter how you view it but 2009 will be the year…..1,2,3….TEAM.
VUT ladies will be hungry for succes but with rumours of their key post moving to their rivals UJ,one will have to see who will be taking the reigns this year.With the Big 3(tuks,Uj and VUT) having to meet in GBL and USSA,one will surely pay more than R30 to watch these Titans clash.Raptors have a lot to prove and most probably those 4 teams mentioned will be playing it out for the right to be called CHAMP of CHAMPS.
It is too early though hey but that doesnt mean one should not be excited……
Ps….Beware of CUT ladies and Limpopo ladies…..dont say I didnt warn you!!!
For USSA that is…………
Kim
I dont see you sayin anythin about bram blues ( Rebels) people ought to think about us too, coz we comming!
Tifo
What team is that?Maybe its the nickname thats putting me off!!!
Big up to Jozi, something big is happening there once again & thanks to the organisers for that spectecular event, I hope it will bring back life in basketball fraternity.
But I’m little bit concern about other provinces, I wonder what might be the problem for them to establish something like this, I believe if this can happen in GP then its possible for it to happen anywhere in the country but only if we can eliminate Bo-MOGABE in this provinces,”PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING MUST BE STARTED BY THEM & IF NOT, HE/SHE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO STOP IT”.
CUT is an example that something is wrong in other provinces, Good luck guys & I hope you do well for helpless Baller’s in FS.