NFA constitution needs a revamp
Many football associations in Africa have drafted their constitutions to protect football bosses, and Namibia is no difference.
The current set-up at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) surely favours certain individuals.
The loopholes in the NFA constitution is one of the main causes of the ongoing war between its dismissed president Frans Mbidi and secretary-general Barry Rukoro.
Many important NFA decisions have been overturned because of constitutional contradictions.
The NFA recently fired its president, but it appears they will reinstate him after Fifa, the government and other stakeholders backed Mbidi.
A few months ago, the football body's executive backed Rukoro when Mbidi decided not to renew his contract.
This is an embarrassing image for the NFA and the entire country.
There are so many rules and regulations in the constitution that are there to protect individuals, when a constitution is normally a document that is drafted to protect and guide an organisation.
The Namibian football house is divided and broken, and for this reason, matters have been difficult to resolve, given the lack of transparency and the regulations currently governing the national football body.
The blame must also be laid at the feet of the sports ministry and the Namibian Sports Commission (NSC), who have done little to prevent this infighting from escalating.
It is clear that as a nation we are always reluctant to act when problems are brewing, but only react when things have erupted.
There are constitutional loopholes within the constitutions of many other sport codes.
This is why the sporting fraternity is at loggerheads all the time, as egos and turf battles sour our love for sport. The NFA, for one, should have a relook its constitution, with the guidance of impartial legal experts, and after consultations with stakeholders.
The NSC must play a major role as far as amending constitutions in various sport codes is concerned.
This is not interference, but appropriate guidance, in the interest of sport and all sport lovers.
The current set-up at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) surely favours certain individuals.
The loopholes in the NFA constitution is one of the main causes of the ongoing war between its dismissed president Frans Mbidi and secretary-general Barry Rukoro.
Many important NFA decisions have been overturned because of constitutional contradictions.
The NFA recently fired its president, but it appears they will reinstate him after Fifa, the government and other stakeholders backed Mbidi.
A few months ago, the football body's executive backed Rukoro when Mbidi decided not to renew his contract.
This is an embarrassing image for the NFA and the entire country.
There are so many rules and regulations in the constitution that are there to protect individuals, when a constitution is normally a document that is drafted to protect and guide an organisation.
The Namibian football house is divided and broken, and for this reason, matters have been difficult to resolve, given the lack of transparency and the regulations currently governing the national football body.
The blame must also be laid at the feet of the sports ministry and the Namibian Sports Commission (NSC), who have done little to prevent this infighting from escalating.
It is clear that as a nation we are always reluctant to act when problems are brewing, but only react when things have erupted.
There are constitutional loopholes within the constitutions of many other sport codes.
This is why the sporting fraternity is at loggerheads all the time, as egos and turf battles sour our love for sport. The NFA, for one, should have a relook its constitution, with the guidance of impartial legal experts, and after consultations with stakeholders.
The NSC must play a major role as far as amending constitutions in various sport codes is concerned.
This is not interference, but appropriate guidance, in the interest of sport and all sport lovers.
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Namibian Sun
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