Marketing and communications officer: Greyeno Rusberg

Greyeno Rusberg shares his transition from a being futsal player to taking the lead as a marketing and communications officer for the growing sport.

His transition into futsal came naturally, fuelled by a desire to represent Namibia on a national level. "It has always been a dream to represent Namibia at a national team level throughout my soccer career," he said.

This dream materialised when he received his first call-up to the Namibian futsal national team. However, an injury during preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Tanzania sidelined him, dashing his hopes of making the final squad.

"When one door closes, another door opens," Rusberg said.

Recognising his dedication and expertise, he was invited to join the technical team of Futsal Namibia. Now, as a key figure in the team, Rusberg is tasked with spearheading the marketing, communications and public relations efforts for Futsal Namibia.

In his new role, Rusberg is tasked to increase the visibility and popularity of futsal in Namibia. He plans to leverage various media streams and platforms, including social media, newspapers, radio and business networks.

"The main focus is to ensure the sport of futsal is known to the Namibian public and fan base at large," he emphasised.

Reflecting on his previous experience, Rusberg shared a successful public relations campaign he managed. "Getting the message across by means of various media streams and platforms was crucial," he added.

By keeping fans informed about the team's progress from the initial qualifier phase through the Afcon campaign, he ensured widespread engagement and support.

Rusberg’s educational background includes a master's in software development, but it is his entrepreneurial experience that has truly prepared him for this role. "Understanding brand fundamentals and getting the brand of Futsal Namibia known is key," he noted.

His ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders has been instrumental in his success.

Crisis communication is another area where Rusberg excels. "Communication is best dealt with by taking it to the drawing board," he said.

He believes in addressing issues with consistent feedback and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Engaging with local and international media is vital for promoting the Namibian futsal national team.

Drawing from his experience at the Afcon in Morocco, Rusberg plans to implement structures from a league perspective and ensure visibility and transparency. "Making use of current media platforms to provide up-to-date news on the futsal league divisions is crucial," he added.

Social media and digital platforms are key tools in Rusberg’s strategy to connect with fans and stakeholders.

"The aim is to improve the brand look of each team within the various Futsal Namibia league divisions," he said. By enhancing the visibility of team brands on social media and websites, and securing sponsorships, he aims to elevate the professionalism of the sport.