BA's power tussles continue

Limba Mupetami WINDHOEK Infighting within Black Africa's (BA) ranks continues, with the interim committee and supporters of the community club clashing on whether to join the Namibia Football Association's (NFA) top-tier league. The interim committee, consisting of chairperson Browny Mutrifa, vice chairperson Lakka Goagoseb, Boni Paulino, Rebekka Goagoses and Doris Lamperth, recently received a letter from the community club's Lucky Richter, informing them that the supporters have replaced them with what they call a 'Supporters Working Committee', chaired by Richter.Their services would therefore no longer be needed, the letter, seen by Namibian Sun, read.The interim committee was also instructed to refrain from using the club's official letterhead in its correspondence and to return movable property in their possession, including official stamps, player files and contracts, gear as well as training equipment, within five working days. We won't be responsible “You are informed that BA will not take any responsibility for any decision of commitment from the date of this letter, until you officially handover BA to its rightful owners,” Richter wrote. He further emphasised that that they wish to register with NFA. “This mandate is solely vested within the ownership powers of the supporters of BA Sport Club,” he added. Two sides The interim committee is affiliated with the expelled Namibia Premier League, while the supporters went ahead and registered the club for the NFA's top-tier league, ignoring the committee's disapproval. The letter further said the interim committee was appointed unprocedurally by Paulino, following the separation agreement entered into between now NFA president Ranga Haikali and the sports club on 24 October 2019. “Since the transfer of BA's rightful ownership to the community, the committee has failed to account to the supporters of BA for its existence. Your committee was reluctant to engage the community and supporters on the direction BA must chart for the way forward,” Richter wrote.He accused the interim committee of dragging the club's name through the public domain for the wrong reasons, and hurting its reputation.As an example, he mentioned the interim committee going against and ridiculing the NFA and threatening to sue acting secretary-general Franco Cosmos for what they called “interfering in club affairs”.“This is the first time since BA's birth in 1964 that any official, let alone an executive member, goes as far to bring the image and brand in disrepute. “The committee has, without a doubt, gone too far in the 11 months they forcefully claimed ownership,” Richter added. He further said Paulino was part of a group expelled from all matters regarding Namibian football, but continues to involve himself.Mutrifa and Paulino were also accused of co-signing articles of association to commit BA to the expelled NPL as a professional league with the Business Intelligence Property Authority, and failing to hold supporters' meetings. Dismissed “We were not invited to the meeting which took place on Saturday at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish Hall in Katutura. Neither were we given minutes or informed about the number of people who were invited to make this decision,” Mutrifa said. “As far as we are concerned, we are dismissing this.” “If they are running a club, I don't know which one it is, but they should continue to run it,” he added.limba@namibiansun.com

BA's power tussles continue

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-14

Please login to leave a comment

BA's power tussles continue

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-14

Please login to leave a comment

Login