NPL clubs remain dormant

Several Namibia Premier League (NPL) clubs have opted not to start training, saying that it would be an unnecessary expense in the absence of a firm date when the league will start. Earlier this month, NPL officials disclosed that the league was struggling to find the N$21 million sponsorship deal it desperately needed to start the league. Blue Waters, Black Africa, Life Fighters and Tura Magic officials have put training on hold. Black Africa Chairman Bonny Paulino feels that it is not logical for the club to start training while there is no kick-off date for the league. The former league champions suspended training last year after it was announced that the league would remain on hold pending a sponsorship deal. “I do not think there is any reason for us to practise because we already know that there is no football happening. “I feel that we will waste the players' time and the fact that there is no money makes it even more difficult. “I also do not see the need for the NFA Cup to start while the league is not on, given that the players will start demanding payment,” Paulino said. Tura Magic Tura Magic coach Paulus Shipanga said he was awaiting orders from the club management. The coach confirmed that the club was still not training and that players had been calling him in desperation. “I can tell you right now that there are still no activities for us at the moment because of the current situation. “I am still waiting for a call from the manager on what direction we should take. “The players have not been training and I do not see any activities happening anytime soon given the situation which the league finds itself in at the moment.” Blue Waters Robert Shimooshili of the Walvis Bay club believes it is not worth training under the current league leadership. He said the club had told its players to keep fit on their own until a solution was found. “It is about time that the current NPL leadership steps down because they have been useless for some time now. “Our club will not be able to start practising because we feel it will be pointless at the moment. “I think it is time that the current NPL leader steps down because its reputation has been tarnished. “Sponsors will not invest in a place where leaders have been in newspapers for all the wrong reasons lately,” Shimooshili said. Life Fighters Newly promoted Otjiwarongo club Life Fighters have been dormant for the past couple of months since gaining promotion to the premier league. Chairman Anton Kake cited various reasons for the club's inactivity, including the fact that the league has no starting date. “We have financial troubles here because I am currently the only one making a contribution to the club. “Therefore, we will not be able to have training sessions because we are unable to afford facilities. “The other reason is the one we always know about - the league's sponsorship problems,” Kake said. Some clubs still believe While other clubs seemed to have given up hope that the league will kick off soon, others refuse to give up and have started training. Citizens FC, Young Chiefs FC and Unam FC are all active. Citizens FC Citizens FC chairman David Goagoseb says his club began training last week. He feels it is important for players to remain active. “We are a football club and have to keep training until there is no more hope left. “The boys have been busy because you can never know when things will change for the better. “However, it remains a very difficult and depressing time for all of us even if we are trying to shake it off,” Goagoseb said. Young Chiefs FC A spokesman for Oshakati-based Young Chiefs says his club has been preparing for local tournaments in the north. “So far, we have been keeping ourselves fit with training and playing local games. “As we speak, we are preparing for rural tournaments which will see us playing against local teams until something comes up. “The thing is that we have to stay focused and hopeful that the league is going to start someday.” Unam FC A member of the University of Namibia Football Club, Evaristus Evaristus, also said that his club had started training. “The boys started training last week in preparation for anything that could happen in the next few weeks. “I have been on leave for a while, but it was communicated to me that the boys are optimistic,” Evaristus said. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

NPL clubs remain dormant

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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NPL clubs remain dormant

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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