Good day!
Change is one of those things that looks simple on paper but rarely ever is in practice. That five-letter word, so casually thrown around by bus conductors, kiosk operators, and politicians, demands far more than we often imagine. For those comfortable with the status quo, change feels like an intrusion, a disruption. Yet, no matter how much we resist it, change remains inevitable. Deny it, and it will either force its way through or leave you stranded in dereliction.
On Sunday, we had a close shave. It could easily have been a disaster had the crowd been larger than it was that evening. The root of the problem wasn’t the idea itself but the way an innovative approach to revenue collection was deployed. Let’s be clear: this isn’t about apportioning blame. From experience, I know the first instinct when accused is defense, and in such a defensive posture, little or no progress can be made.
So, what happened on Sunday? The club decided to implement the e-ticketing system. The order came from above – but there was little done on ground to train and test the implementing. Well, there was a surge from impatient fans and that ingress forced the gates to be flung open to avoid certain stampede. So alot of people got in without getting a ticket and the eticketing idea failed on the day.
As fans of this great club, we aren’t here to argue over authority. We know the government owns Enyimba and ultimately has the final say. But in the same breath, we, the fans, must never be overlooked. We are stakeholders. Our loyalty, our sacrifices, and even our frustrations prove it. The average Enyimba fan would happily sit in on a training session, let alone a matchday. We deserve to be carried along especially by our club who know us more than the state government.
One glaring misstep on Sunday was the lack of communication around the new eTicketing initiative. I’ve experienced it before, and when it works, it is fast and efficient. But we also know where we live. Network providers can falter at the most crucial times, and that failure is not always the fault of one person or group. Which is why early commencement and decentralization of sales should have been explored rather than concentrating all activity at the stadium gates on matchdays.
Communication is, perhaps, the simplest solution we often ignore. Aba boasts nine radio stations, and thousands of us tune in daily for updates and enlightenment. A few timely announcements would have gone a long way in preparing fans for this change. Beyond radio, the town crier-style announcer on his motorcycle, synonymous to some parts of this city, is another effective option. Whatever the medium, just tell us. That’s all we ask.
Make no mistake, the eTicketing initiative is a good one. It promises to plug revenue leakages and bring more accountability to the club. But if poorly implemented or sabotaged by those clinging to the old ways, it risks becoming a complete failure.
For change to work here, we need three things: decentralization of sales, clear and timely communication, and a unity of purpose. Get these right, and Sunday’s mistake becomes just a lesson, not a lasting scar.
Ka Chineke mezie okwu.
‘EnyimbaEnyi
