Two years in- what's the early verdict for the S-FPL?A map of the Shango-Fogoa Basin, showcasing the three countries in the S-FPL- Farfadillis, Banija, and the Busoga Islands BUSUKUMA, NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION- If you want to put it simply, the early verdict is this- overwhelming success. And the proof? Look no further than Kitara A.A. winning the IFCF Champions League. Look at both associations flying up the ranks, where Farfadillis is officially ranked as the second strongest club association in the multiverse, while Banija is ranked 4th. And look at the money. More money's flying around than ever before, and although the accounting on the Farf side isn't public, the parachute payments to Banijan teams down below have more than tripled since the S-FPL began. The unification of the top flights for Banija & Farfadillis was ambitious, and came amidst resistance, although smaller resistance than one would think, but it has been an overwhelming success both on and off the field.
There is no better promo for a league than success, and both national teams provided it in the run up. Farfadillis won World Cup 84 and co-hosted World Cup 85. Between qualifying and the Finals, the S-FPL documents were signed and the joint venture was established. With the hype leading up, Banija and Farfadillis met in a barnstormer of a World Cup semifinal. We won 7-6. 13 total goals- it may be the record for a World Cup semifinal. Couldn't hype up the league more than that, could you? The fact that we then went on to win the World Cup Final couldn't have hurt.
All sorts of new TV and media rights deals were signed, both at home and abroad. The biggest rights increase, of course, came in Banija. Big time recent economic growth, plus the addition of Farf teams, blew up the media values of the deals in Banija, where the singular biggest rights deal exist. But enough about money. What are the effects? Since we've already established that on the field and in the bank it's been an unprecedented success ,what does this mean in other areas?
We will, naturally, focus on Banija and Busoga- the ability to do the research required on these kind of topics on the Farf side, is not exactly easy.
The Relegated 10
Of course, as everyone knows, the S-FPL top flight is 20 teams. It would start off with the 10 Farf top-flight teams, alongside 9 Banijan sides and a Busogan team. What was a joyous moment for 10 teams, aka, becoming foundational members in a new league where just one promotion/relegation spot would be had on the Banijan/Busogan side, was a disastrous moment for 10 others. 10 teams who thought they were top-flight teams would get relegated. Squads like Rukunbi FC, Aissa United, etc... Suddenly found themselves below.
But what ensured that Banija was not up in arms about the forced relegation of some of our oldest clubs? The fact of the matter is, we haven't been playing nationally for that long. For nearly 80 years, right up until our disastrous World Cup 73 Qualification effort, we basically operated via state leagues. A national knockout tournament for each state champ, and sometimes a little bit of interleague play- but by and large, teams only played teams from their region. So there is no massive history of Banijan national league soccer- just the 13 seasons of the BSL.
Some of us are old enough to remember the BSL's formation. There was big resistance then- it would doom state leagues and smaller clubs. But ultimately, it was a success. Some clubs did die. But nobody would argue we should go back to the de-regulated state league days, where regional fiefdoms did whatever they wanted. And so while this isn't the 'natural progression' of things per say, Banijan fans are understanding enough to make it happen.
Now, of course, the relegated 10 were pissed. But they did not have the weight to stop the wheels in motion. Teams like Aissa and Rukunbi have taken a hit. But, largely, these clubs have settled in. Their fans enjoy a highly competitive new-look second tier, and the race for promotion to the S-FPL is as competitive as ever. And think- since the formation of the S-FPL, both Kabakono City and the Hawabark Boulders have won the LIga B Champions Trophy, as our nation make our own case for the strongest second tier in the entire sport.
The Regional Leagues
This was also a demotion in status for the regional leagues. By adding a new joint first tier, they all essentially dropped from the second tier to become Banija's third tier. All the leagues shrunk as well- from 12 teams to 10 each, with the top two in each of the four regional leagues joining the relegated 10. For those 8 teams, this has been great- staying in tier 2, but going from a regional to a national league, has financial benefits. And, of course, competitive benefits. Look at Kabakono City's success in the LBCT.
Overall, the biggest effect on the regional leagues has been number of games. The 4x round robin with 12 teams meant 44 games a season, which many saw as too many games. Now, with 10 teams, it means 36 games a season. Four less home games, but better quality football. The league is no longer the insane 44 game marathon that it used to be. While regional league status is now even more embarrassing for a number of clubs who think they shouldn't be there(looking at you, Bunyoro RSC!) it largely means positive effects at the bottom of the table.
Also, recognize this- now, there are potentially 2 spots for promotion out of the regional leagues rather than just one. Or 1.5, to be precise. The automatic spot(Promotion Playoff Winner), plus the Promotion Playoff Runner-Up playing the second worst team in Banija's 2nd tier, for a right to a spot in the 2nd tier. So even with the regional leagues having a lower status, there is a slightly better chance to escape them.
The Fans
How has the move been for the fans? Well, we'd honestly say it's been good. Thanks to an expansive new media rights deals, and lucrative foreign media rights deals, it is easier to watch club football in all three countries than it has ever been before. More games on television and radio.
And it also means more enticing matchups, and more entertaining away days. Banijan fans have been introduced to Farf fan culture, and it has blown us away. Willing to say anything in the name of a cheer. Violence unlike anything ever seen. You know what it truly means to a people to win when you are in a league with them, week in and week out. Some of that is beginning to rub off in Banija, as the fan cultures begin to intersect.
And of course, like said above- it means deeper IFCF runs. Kitara AA are the winners of the Champions League. Teams from both sides now regularly making runs. Before the S-FPL was started, both countries had two Champions League berths. Both countries now have the maximum of four Champions League berths, meaning their fans have a better chance of seeing their club play international club football. So fans of the teams in the S-FPL? Winners.
But if you're a fan of a team chasing a S-FPL berth? Well... Then you are jealously waiting on the outside looking in. But if you make it, well, it's gonna be one hell of a good time.
The sport in Busoga
Now, before this past season, we'd say this has been great for the sport in Busoga. With Lakiska SC in particular having a number of Busogan national teamers, it meant that the small nation had a much better chance to grow its footprint, and get its talent into better leagues. While Banijans have had a great chance to get into big foreign leagues, Busogans are pretty much largely confined to the home front with just a few exceptions(looking at Kasekende Jr. in Teusland and Gassama in Eura).
They had one team in the S-FPL, and two in Banija's second tier, alongside three in the regional leagues. But this past season was disastrous. One team relegated from the second tier to the regional leagues. Another team relegated from the S-FPL to the second tier. So now, 2 second tier clubs and four regional league sides. That almost certainly makes the Busoga Islands probably the highest ranked nation in World Cup 88 Qualifying without a top-flight football club. And heck, considering the complex footballing structure here, probably the only nation to whom that applies to.
It's a disaster. It's bad for talent development, it's bad for interest in the sport. This is something that Busoga needs to rectify, and soon. Lakiska SC are a favorite to get straight back into the S-FPL, of course, but there are no guarantees. The S-FPL is strictly a Banijan/Farf affair for now, and it has the potential to be for a few seasons yet. So what was initially a boon for the sport on the Islands, is now a disaster. And that won't be fixed unless Lakiska SC or Dukuma SC get their sh*t together and find a way back into the S-FPL.