Hamata envisions collective effort aimed at growing football

Namibian football enthusiast Isack Hamata recently shared his thoughts on the future of local football, expressing his hopes and aspirations for 2024.

Reflecting on the challenges faced in the past - including a lack of football, political issues among leaders and a dearth of sponsorships - Hamata emphasised the need for unity among football leaders.

He envisions a collective effort aimed at growing and professionalising football at all levels, he said, emphasising that this common objective should naturally unite all stakeholders.

Addressing the tarnished reputation of football over the years, Hamata acknowledged its impact on sponsors, who have shied away due to fear of collateral damage. He stressed the importance of concerted efforts to rebuild the image of football among stakeholders, and urged football enthusiasts to play a role in this rebuilding process by minimising conflict, increasing collaboration, attending matches, and more.

He further stressed that the restoration of football's image requires dedication and hard work.

Back to the basics

Switching gears to development, the pundit outlined the changes and improvements he would like to see within the Namibian sports fraternity in 2024. His focus is on prioritising youth development and enhancing the capacities of youth coaches and administrators, he said.

Hamata expressed a desire to return to the basics by reintroducing football in schools as a means of providing a strong foundation for the game, both technically and in terms of player discipline.

Looking ahead to initiatives and programmes for enhancing the overall footballing experience in Namibia, he proposed the implementation of school and youth leagues across all constituencies and regions for both boys and girls. He envisioned regional winners playing in tournaments to determine overall or national winners, creating excitement, especially in non-urban centres where top league football is scarce.

Hamata also advocated for the reintroduction of competitions at premier league level to motivate clubs and broaden the scope of trophy-winning teams.

Holistic approach

Meanwhile, envisioning the growth and progression of Namibian football at both grassroots and professional levels, Hamata emphasised the need for a holistic approach. His comprehensive response covered grassroots development, infrastructure upgrades, coaching and education programmes, youth competitions and initiatives at professional level.

The football enthusiast also highlighted the importance of continuous improvement in the Namibian football league, player welfare, international exposure and strategic partnerships.

Hamata shared his hopes for improvement in facilities, coaching standards and player development in Namibian football in 2024. He acknowledged challenges in upgrading facilities owned by the government and local authorities, but called for engagement between football leaders and facility owners to highlight the importance of upgrades, improvements or at least proper maintenance. There is also a need for coaches to upgrade their licences and stay abreast of modern coaching techniques, with a focus on player development pathways, he said.

Community involvement

Asked about community involvement and support, Hamata stressed their crucial role in the success of Namibian football.

He proposed measures such as youth development programmes, community outreach initiatives, infrastructure development, improved communication and media engagement, support for grassroots clubs, educational programmes, fan engagement strategies, and partnerships with local businesses to strengthen these connections.

On the topic of technology and innovation, he acknowledged that Namibia lags behind, but expressed confidence in the potential benefits in store for the country. He proposed the adoption of wearable technology, virtual reality in training, data analytics for talent identification, a centralised database for player progress tracking and mobile apps for real-time updates and interactive content.

Hamata drew attention to the importance of embracing these advancements for enhanced competitiveness, player development and fan engagement.

Collaborations and partnerships

Looking towards collaborations and partnerships, he suggested annual four-nation tournaments, leveraging twinning agreements between cities, partnerships for international matches and educational collaborations with countries like Brazil and Germany. He highlighted the historical success of collaborations, especially with European tournaments, and encouraged seeking high-level administration and coaching courses abroad, possibly with FIFA's assistance.

In recognising the pivotal role of the media in promoting Namibian football, he provided suggestions for enhancements in sports media coverage. Here, he highlighted positive storytelling, the use of digital platforms and social media, insightful analysis, involvement of former players and experts, promotion of diversity and inclusivity, equal representation in sports reporting, interactive platforms like podcasts, investigative journalism, a watchdog role for integrity and collaboration with football authorities.