NVF stands by ‘zero victimisation’ policy amid equity concerns
Volleyball
NVF assured that any act of retaliation against an individual who raises a complaint in good faith will be treated as a disciplinary offence.
Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) has denied allegations of bias and lack of protection for whistle-blowers within its national structures, stating that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards victimisation.
It was responding to claims raised by individuals from the volleyball community, who feel unable to raise concerns in official spaces, including the Volleyball Namibia WhatsApp group.
Anonymous sources within the volleyball community told this publication that a once open space for the community to exchange ideas and concerns has become a surveillance platform to identify and sideline nitpickers.
They claimed that several members have reported being targeted after raising grievances, through suspensions, travel disadvantages and silent exclusion from volleyball activities.
"No one speaks out anymore. We love the game too much to risk losing our place in it," the community said.
‘Use emails or formal letters’
In response, NVF chief executive officer Festus Hamukwaya explained that the federation welcomes grievances, whether anonymous or otherwise, and has mechanisms in place to foster a safe and respectful environment for all.
He said they have formal grievance procedures and an independent ethics and disciplinary committee, which can be established on an ad-hoc basis and mandated to handle sensitive issues, including allegations of unfair treatment or abuse of authority.
"Public platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook may not be appropriate for sensitive issues. We thus encourage individuals to raise concerns via email or formal letters to designated officials. They are also at liberty to approach the Namibia Sports Commission (NCS) if they feel they have been victimised or silenced.
"The NVF enforces a zero tolerance policy against victimisation. Any act of retaliation against an individual who raises a complaint in good faith will be treated as a disciplinary offence, subject to thorough investigation and appropriate sanctions," he added.
‘Clear inequity’
At the heart of the discontent is what non-government clubs described as an unfair playing field of the MTC Volleyball National League (VNL), from alleged lopsided match fixtures only benefiting Windhoek-based teams to insufficient financial support.
"The current fixture schedule displays clear inequity as teams from Windhoek enjoy minimal travel, while Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Ondangwa-based clubs are made to travel across the country, sometimes as far as Mariental.
"[These clubs] sometimes play on Sundays, which forces them to travel back the same day. In the midst of all this are travel, accommodation, meals and registration fees, which all fall on the shoulders of club management, often made up of volunteers," they said.
‘No support on court’
They further claimed the MTC league sponsorship has benefited the federation’s visibility and public relations more than the sustainability of the teams. "No support filters down to where it's needed most, which is on the court."
In response, Hamukwaya confirmed that each club receives N$4 000 per round from MTC’s N$1 million annual allocation, with additional benefits such as kits valued at over N$237 000 and prize money totalling N$160 000 per season.
"The total budget for club support accounts for more than 85% of the sponsorship. The remainder of the funds covers referees, venues and operational costs," he noted.
‘Not able to accommodate every team’s needs’
NVF further stated that the fixture lists are sent to all teams for review and approval before finalisation and are structured to rotate hosting across towns. They indicated that matches are hosted monthly, with each team playing a maximum of three matches per round to allow for adequate preparation time.
Hamukwaya said when fixtures are prepared, they take into account the number of participating teams, venue availability and its capacity to host numerous matches.
"For the inception season last year, seven rounds were hosted and teams travelled to each town except Katima Mulilo, only because their facility could not set up sufficient courts to accommodate all games.
"Unfortunately, a fixture will not be able to accommodate every team’s needs, especially seeing that most of the teams are from Windhoek," he remarked.
‘Grace should be extended’
Further discontent alleged league governance shortcomings, claiming the sole league administrator does little to solve the teams’ problems.
"Key decisions are handed down without recourse, transparency or fairness. [This has led to] one of the teams’ forfeiture due to lack of funds, recorded as the team having lost."
Hamutumwa acknowledged that the league is not yet run by a fully-fledged league administrator committee. Instead, it is currently overseen by an appointed coordinator, with guidance from the executive and board. The federation aims to have the committee established by the end of the year.
"Grace should be extended to how far the league has advanced with limited resources at hand," he said.
Regarding the reported team’s recorded loss, the NVF CEO said it is in keeping with the VNL’s administration following international regulations.
"When a team does not postpone a scheduled match and simply does not show up, this is considered a forfeiture. For the integrity of the league, all teams are expected to meet their fixture commitments, unless there are exceptional, formally communicated reasons submitted to the league coordinator in advance," he noted.
‘Limited human resources’
When critics argued that the temporary structure, paired with the presence of active players and club officials in leadership or technical roles, "creates a conflict of interest", Hamukwaya argued that it is permitted under the current NVF constitution.
"Multi-role involvement is an undeniable reality in our volleyball community, with limited human resources. It is quite difficult to get former or retired volleyball members to serve in federation portfolios," he said.
"[NVF thus] requires officials to declare conflicts of interest and obligates them to recuse themselves from related obligations or voting to ensure impartiality."
– [email protected]
It was responding to claims raised by individuals from the volleyball community, who feel unable to raise concerns in official spaces, including the Volleyball Namibia WhatsApp group.
Anonymous sources within the volleyball community told this publication that a once open space for the community to exchange ideas and concerns has become a surveillance platform to identify and sideline nitpickers.
They claimed that several members have reported being targeted after raising grievances, through suspensions, travel disadvantages and silent exclusion from volleyball activities.
"No one speaks out anymore. We love the game too much to risk losing our place in it," the community said.
‘Use emails or formal letters’
In response, NVF chief executive officer Festus Hamukwaya explained that the federation welcomes grievances, whether anonymous or otherwise, and has mechanisms in place to foster a safe and respectful environment for all.
He said they have formal grievance procedures and an independent ethics and disciplinary committee, which can be established on an ad-hoc basis and mandated to handle sensitive issues, including allegations of unfair treatment or abuse of authority.
"Public platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook may not be appropriate for sensitive issues. We thus encourage individuals to raise concerns via email or formal letters to designated officials. They are also at liberty to approach the Namibia Sports Commission (NCS) if they feel they have been victimised or silenced.
"The NVF enforces a zero tolerance policy against victimisation. Any act of retaliation against an individual who raises a complaint in good faith will be treated as a disciplinary offence, subject to thorough investigation and appropriate sanctions," he added.
‘Clear inequity’
At the heart of the discontent is what non-government clubs described as an unfair playing field of the MTC Volleyball National League (VNL), from alleged lopsided match fixtures only benefiting Windhoek-based teams to insufficient financial support.
"The current fixture schedule displays clear inequity as teams from Windhoek enjoy minimal travel, while Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Ondangwa-based clubs are made to travel across the country, sometimes as far as Mariental.
"[These clubs] sometimes play on Sundays, which forces them to travel back the same day. In the midst of all this are travel, accommodation, meals and registration fees, which all fall on the shoulders of club management, often made up of volunteers," they said.
‘No support on court’
They further claimed the MTC league sponsorship has benefited the federation’s visibility and public relations more than the sustainability of the teams. "No support filters down to where it's needed most, which is on the court."
In response, Hamukwaya confirmed that each club receives N$4 000 per round from MTC’s N$1 million annual allocation, with additional benefits such as kits valued at over N$237 000 and prize money totalling N$160 000 per season.
"The total budget for club support accounts for more than 85% of the sponsorship. The remainder of the funds covers referees, venues and operational costs," he noted.
‘Not able to accommodate every team’s needs’
NVF further stated that the fixture lists are sent to all teams for review and approval before finalisation and are structured to rotate hosting across towns. They indicated that matches are hosted monthly, with each team playing a maximum of three matches per round to allow for adequate preparation time.
Hamukwaya said when fixtures are prepared, they take into account the number of participating teams, venue availability and its capacity to host numerous matches.
"For the inception season last year, seven rounds were hosted and teams travelled to each town except Katima Mulilo, only because their facility could not set up sufficient courts to accommodate all games.
"Unfortunately, a fixture will not be able to accommodate every team’s needs, especially seeing that most of the teams are from Windhoek," he remarked.
‘Grace should be extended’
Further discontent alleged league governance shortcomings, claiming the sole league administrator does little to solve the teams’ problems.
"Key decisions are handed down without recourse, transparency or fairness. [This has led to] one of the teams’ forfeiture due to lack of funds, recorded as the team having lost."
Hamutumwa acknowledged that the league is not yet run by a fully-fledged league administrator committee. Instead, it is currently overseen by an appointed coordinator, with guidance from the executive and board. The federation aims to have the committee established by the end of the year.
"Grace should be extended to how far the league has advanced with limited resources at hand," he said.
Regarding the reported team’s recorded loss, the NVF CEO said it is in keeping with the VNL’s administration following international regulations.
"When a team does not postpone a scheduled match and simply does not show up, this is considered a forfeiture. For the integrity of the league, all teams are expected to meet their fixture commitments, unless there are exceptional, formally communicated reasons submitted to the league coordinator in advance," he noted.
‘Limited human resources’
When critics argued that the temporary structure, paired with the presence of active players and club officials in leadership or technical roles, "creates a conflict of interest", Hamukwaya argued that it is permitted under the current NVF constitution.
"Multi-role involvement is an undeniable reality in our volleyball community, with limited human resources. It is quite difficult to get former or retired volleyball members to serve in federation portfolios," he said.
"[NVF thus] requires officials to declare conflicts of interest and obligates them to recuse themselves from related obligations or voting to ensure impartiality."
– [email protected]
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