Let's hope for a good year

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



It is no secret that the past two years were not the best for sport in the country, with so many negative reports going on. I wish 2020 will be different.

Namibia is already racing against time to get athletes to qualify to the Olympics.

Football in the country has been on hold and sponsors have decided to withdraw.

Many of the sport codes have been on life-support given that they do not have any fixed sponsorships.

Athletes are unable to fulfil their dreams of becoming world superstars because funding of sport in this country is not a priority.

The fact that there was no league football played disrupted the lives of many young footballers who were earning wages from their respective clubs.

Most of these players support their families with the earnings they make from football.

That is why we need some sort of restructuring in our sport codes to ensure that things are done differently in 2020.

I hope that administrators will fix their differences and the league will commence in 2020.

Yes, one would not be able to deny that there have been a few positives which occurred even when things were very bleak in Namibian sport.

One of the biggest highlights of 2019 was Helalia Johannes's incredible form, which saw her winning bronze at the world athletics championships.

Johannes Nambala was crowned world champion in the T13 400m race at the 2019 International Paralympic Committee World Para Athletics Championships.

Namibia's national cricket team booked its place at the T20 2020 World Cup, after trouncing Oman in T20 World Cup playoffs.

All these are remarkable achievements but I can assure you that this country is capable of achieving greater things with the talent we have.

Namibia is capable of having more athletes competing at the highest level.

The biggest thing that has been holding this country back is the inconsistency we find in our administration.

The lack of sponsorship from corporate Namibia has also hampered the growth of sport.

We all know that the youth are the future of this country and it is important that they get the necessary support from corporate Namibia.

Most of these young athletes aspiring to become future stars need help and that help lies with corporate Namibia.

It would be great if more youth tournaments are sponsored in order for the country to groom future stars to fulfil the adage “catch them while they are still young”.

I am not talking about only sponsoring football, netball, rugby and hockey, but all sport codes that fall under the Namibia Sports Commission need equal treatment.

I am also encouraging the companies that are already involved in sport funding to go the extra mile as far as creating more events is concerned.

What I do believe is of utmost importance is that corporate Namibia must not only focus on the main region (Khomas), but must expand to other regions where children are desperate to get involved in sport.

Lastly, the personal grudges which we all know exist between some of our leaders have to stop.

Now is the time that we throw away the football politics and the tribal issues.

People in football leadership must refrain from making empty promises because our football is in need of transformation.

It is about time that we let go of our personal egos and targets and think of the people that are directly affected by our decisions.

We will never be able to fix problems if our decisions are based on vengeance and piloted by power-hungry motives.

Enough is enough with this unwise administration that has been going on for so long in our beautiful game.



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