Future certain at NPL – Kauta
The Namibia Premier League chairperson Patrick Kauta yesterday said it's business as usual as they have money to keep operations going.
Kauta was responding to questions on the status of the NPL and what plans are for the year regarding the commencement of local football after a suspension by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) last year due to unceasing catfights with the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee.
He said that the NPL has money for operations for the 2019/20 premier league season and will only look for sponsorship for the 2020/21 season.
“Football needs to start. We want it to start in February, as soon as we hear the decision in the Supreme Court on 5 February as we have applied for an urgent application on the way forward.
“I'm certain that it will be a positive response. We are working towards getting the league up and running. As soon as we do that, we will then sit down with MTC to bring them on board with developments,” said Kauta.
MTC was the main bankroller of the league to the tune of more than N$15 million per season, while FNB co-sponsored N$5 million per year.
MTC said it will neither renew nor extend its sponsorship agreement with the NPL at the end of the yet-to-start 2019/20 season.
“MTC hasn't pulled out. We will sit and discuss the way forward with them as soon as we know when the league will start,” Kauta added. He also responded to questions regarding the positions of chief executive officer (CEO) Harald Fuller and communications officer Andre Gariseb, as their contracts will come to an end in March.
Fuller and Gariseb were appointed last April, with the CEO tasking himself to get sponsors to help the league operations.
Fuller is a former acting chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, as well as the current chief media officer at Hopsol Youth Soccer League.
Gariseb comes from an extensive media background and has experience in football administration. He previously served as brand manager for Orlando Pirates and a communications officer at private companies. He said he plans to revive the image of the NPL in the community by engaging with the media.Fuller and Gariseb's appointments came at a time when the league was in dire need of funding to maintain their operations.
“We have an exco meeting next week.
“That's when we will discuss the positions and so forth. So, at the moment I cannot answer if their contracts will be extended or re-advertised,” said Kauta.
Kauta was responding to questions on the status of the NPL and what plans are for the year regarding the commencement of local football after a suspension by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) last year due to unceasing catfights with the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee.
He said that the NPL has money for operations for the 2019/20 premier league season and will only look for sponsorship for the 2020/21 season.
“Football needs to start. We want it to start in February, as soon as we hear the decision in the Supreme Court on 5 February as we have applied for an urgent application on the way forward.
“I'm certain that it will be a positive response. We are working towards getting the league up and running. As soon as we do that, we will then sit down with MTC to bring them on board with developments,” said Kauta.
MTC was the main bankroller of the league to the tune of more than N$15 million per season, while FNB co-sponsored N$5 million per year.
MTC said it will neither renew nor extend its sponsorship agreement with the NPL at the end of the yet-to-start 2019/20 season.
“MTC hasn't pulled out. We will sit and discuss the way forward with them as soon as we know when the league will start,” Kauta added. He also responded to questions regarding the positions of chief executive officer (CEO) Harald Fuller and communications officer Andre Gariseb, as their contracts will come to an end in March.
Fuller and Gariseb were appointed last April, with the CEO tasking himself to get sponsors to help the league operations.
Fuller is a former acting chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, as well as the current chief media officer at Hopsol Youth Soccer League.
Gariseb comes from an extensive media background and has experience in football administration. He previously served as brand manager for Orlando Pirates and a communications officer at private companies. He said he plans to revive the image of the NPL in the community by engaging with the media.Fuller and Gariseb's appointments came at a time when the league was in dire need of funding to maintain their operations.
“We have an exco meeting next week.
“That's when we will discuss the positions and so forth. So, at the moment I cannot answer if their contracts will be extended or re-advertised,” said Kauta.
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