Bling Khumalo SA Team Captain ? Token Appointment

To throw the cat among the pigeons.

Is Bling a worthy SA Captain, or is it a token Appointment.

His stats for Gauteng were recently shown on ABC Forum.
They didn't look at all good.

To compare him with the likes of Delpech and Strydom ???

Richard Fourie included, but still on the sidelines with injury.

A BIG JOKE really.

He's the champion Jockey

Bob Brogan wrote: He's the champion Jockey

let's not forget he won the July amongst other top races. he has changed the history books of SA racing. he consistently works hard every season. what more must he do to deserve it....change colour perhaps?

Of course he is the SA champion, but - and this is my OPINION only - I don't think he is in the same league as a Strydom or a Marcus or even a Delpech. Winning the championship is an indication of a hard working jock, not necessarily the 'best' jock - even MJ Odendaal (very capable rider, but surely not rated amongst the 'best') has won the championship.

That is not to say that Bling should not be the captain, as being the captain should not necessarily be about being the 'best' jock either - I have no idea if he has any leadership qualities, which should be a factor in appointing a captain (and by the way why does the team need a captain)

Yes, Frodo

We are asking your Opinions.

Not bringing colour into anything.

It should be based on Performance, Merit and Consistency.

Nothing else ! Not because he is Black or White.

Strydom has 8 to go for 5,000. Beat that !!!!

In South Africa, we seem to praise and reward mediocrity.

Worthy captain this type of event will always cause controversy

Bling deserves it. Worked extremely hard last year and everyone around Summerveld that I have asked agree. Hard working, respectful, huge ability and the Champion. Anyone else and it would have been a travesty.

I read the Striker column where he(striker) said he did not enjoy being Captain -
Khumalo may not have the natural talent of Striker etc but he has a strong work ethic and as the current Champ he deserves to be Captain

We are blessed with many fine jockeys in this country, anyone of them would be a fitting captain.

Lets not spoil what should be a proud moment for our country to have come this far, having produced a top jockey like S'Manga.

The man is highly talented with many years ahead of him to grow even further in stature. Racing needs success stories, especially fairy tales that start in the most unlikely of places.

You go S'Manga and SA, lets show them our class.

Wishing you and the SA team well for the series ahead.

Leseding wrote: Yes, Frodo

We are asking your Opinions.

Not bringing colour into anything.

It should be based on Performance, Merit and Consistency.

Nothing else ! Not because he is Black or White.

Strydom has 8 to go for 5,000. Beat that !!!!

In South Africa, we seem to praise and reward mediocrity.

@Leseding...the way you have framed the subject line is eliciting responses to your opinion rather than asking for the opinion of others...

I have posted before that SK may not be the best jockey but is the hardest working (+-200 more rides than anyone else last season) and is the Champion Jockey based on the criteria as they stand...he can rightfully be called Champion Jockey...and he has pursued that title in the absence of any monetary reward as has been the case in the past...

The decision on who should captain the team appears to be a ceremonial one as I cannot think of the leadership role one will play whilst trying their best to win on their specific mount...will they be "assisting" their team-mate win a race and in so doing deprive their mount of achieving it's best possible result ?? I don't think this is allowed as every jockey should be doing their best to obtain the best result for their mount for the benefit of that horse's owners, the punters who have backed that horse, etc...

Interesting indeed.

My thoughts are as follows.

I really think Marcus is one of the best as well as Strydom however for an up and coming
jock like Bling, he rides not as many favourite as they do in my opinion and still tends to produce some very decent winners.

Ability - I think he has determination and for sure great riding ability.

An exciting jock to watch.

Captain - as Frodo said leadership wise Marcus definitely my pick but bling deserves his chance.

winner123 wrote: Interesting indeed.

My thoughts are as follows.

I really think Marcus is one of the best as well as Strydom however for an up and coming
jock like Bling, he rides not as many favourite as they do in my opinion and still tends to produce some very decent winners.

Ability - I think he has determination and for sure great riding ability.

An exciting jock to watch.

Captain - as Frodo said leadership wise Marcus definitely my pick but bling deserves his chance.

Very Good Post!!