Chief Santos saga is a no-brainer
The first time when the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) announced that they were going to give money in advance to clubs I was already worried.
At the start of the campaign, funds to the value of N$260 000 were distributed to each team in the premier league for the months of September, October November and December.
The funds were set to cover transport cost and the remuneration of players.
I was worried that some of these clubs would not use this money wisely because of a lack of management structures.
Claims have emerged that the copper town team Chiefs Santos have not paid the salaries of their players for almost two months.
Players decided to go on strike about three weeks ago because of the situation.
However Chiefs Santos was saved by the fact that Nafpu secretary-general Olsen Kahiriri intervened and urged the players not to strike.
If Kahiriri had not intervened, the club would have probably aborted some matches due to a lack of players.
It was shocking but actually, a no-brainer because in Namibia, things are at times done in an unprofessional manner when it comes to football matters.
That is why I believe and urge clubs to set up proper structures to avoid something of that nature happening again.
My fear continues that Chief Santos may not be the only club that will have this situation before the end of the season.
The lack of payments in salaries in the Namibia Premier League has been all too common and continues to shroud our beautiful game.
Last season, Orlando Pirates players created a heavy protest when the club failed to pay their salaries.
The problem is that several clubs are managed by only one person and this could really have implications as to how they handle their finances.
It is important that these clubs secure external sponsorships which can cut several financial burdens on the club.
Money coming from sponsorships will likely help the clubs acquire the services of accountants to manage the books of these clubs.
The fact that the beautiful game is not played at a good level when players are not getting their salaries troubles me.
These players have families to support and it is therefore unacceptable that they do not get their salaries on time.
It would have been understandable if the club said it had not received any money, but the fact that it did gives me every reason to slam their leadership.
I would also like to thank those clubs that have maintained paying their players on time.
It is always very important for those clubs because one can see from the results in the premier league this season and the happiness on the players' faces.
It is very important that we keep the momentum of the premier league going in order to attract more sponsors.
The negativity that surrounds a club like Chief Santos could place them into further turmoil.
I believe that potential sponsors might turn a blind eye towards the beautiful game if they continue reading articles about players not receiving their salaries and mismanagement of funds.
MTC gave a stern warning at the start of the campaign that they were not going to tolerate any mismanagement of funds within the Namibia Premier League.
It is with this that I also urge the Namibia Premier League officials to monitor the situation at clubs.
It is important that the NPL officials do thorough investigations as to what transpired in the Chief Santos saga.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Football Players Union must continue playing their part to represent these players during this difficult time.
[email protected]
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
At the start of the campaign, funds to the value of N$260 000 were distributed to each team in the premier league for the months of September, October November and December.
The funds were set to cover transport cost and the remuneration of players.
I was worried that some of these clubs would not use this money wisely because of a lack of management structures.
Claims have emerged that the copper town team Chiefs Santos have not paid the salaries of their players for almost two months.
Players decided to go on strike about three weeks ago because of the situation.
However Chiefs Santos was saved by the fact that Nafpu secretary-general Olsen Kahiriri intervened and urged the players not to strike.
If Kahiriri had not intervened, the club would have probably aborted some matches due to a lack of players.
It was shocking but actually, a no-brainer because in Namibia, things are at times done in an unprofessional manner when it comes to football matters.
That is why I believe and urge clubs to set up proper structures to avoid something of that nature happening again.
My fear continues that Chief Santos may not be the only club that will have this situation before the end of the season.
The lack of payments in salaries in the Namibia Premier League has been all too common and continues to shroud our beautiful game.
Last season, Orlando Pirates players created a heavy protest when the club failed to pay their salaries.
The problem is that several clubs are managed by only one person and this could really have implications as to how they handle their finances.
It is important that these clubs secure external sponsorships which can cut several financial burdens on the club.
Money coming from sponsorships will likely help the clubs acquire the services of accountants to manage the books of these clubs.
The fact that the beautiful game is not played at a good level when players are not getting their salaries troubles me.
These players have families to support and it is therefore unacceptable that they do not get their salaries on time.
It would have been understandable if the club said it had not received any money, but the fact that it did gives me every reason to slam their leadership.
I would also like to thank those clubs that have maintained paying their players on time.
It is always very important for those clubs because one can see from the results in the premier league this season and the happiness on the players' faces.
It is very important that we keep the momentum of the premier league going in order to attract more sponsors.
The negativity that surrounds a club like Chief Santos could place them into further turmoil.
I believe that potential sponsors might turn a blind eye towards the beautiful game if they continue reading articles about players not receiving their salaries and mismanagement of funds.
MTC gave a stern warning at the start of the campaign that they were not going to tolerate any mismanagement of funds within the Namibia Premier League.
It is with this that I also urge the Namibia Premier League officials to monitor the situation at clubs.
It is important that the NPL officials do thorough investigations as to what transpired in the Chief Santos saga.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Football Players Union must continue playing their part to represent these players during this difficult time.
[email protected]
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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Namibian Sun
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