NPL sponsors mum

MTC spokesperson Fikameni Matias says they have chosen not to get involved in the ongoing power tussle between the Namibia Premier League (NPL) administrators and the Fifa-endorsed normalisation committee.He said the main sponsor of the league is not involved in its daily administrative running, while the other main sponsor of the NPL, FNB Namibia, shared the same sentiments.FNB's Gordon Pokolo said they also have nothing to say regarding the unfolding saga.MTC and FNB are sponsoring the league to the tune of N$20 million per year for three years, with N$15 million per year from MTC's coffers and N$5 million from FNB. MTC has sponsored the league to the tune of N$133 million since 2001.The NPL sent out a fixtures list last week and are adamant to start with league with 13 clubs, while the Fifa normalisation committee is standing firm that there should be no relegations for the past season, as per Fifa's directive.Football pundit Julien Garises, who has been following the unfolding events, said that football is about fair play. Namibia is currently not having a football leadership and is run by the normalisation committee, with the full power of a football association,” she said.Garises said the NPL is just a member like any first or second division, the referees and women's football and is subject to decisions taken by the normalisation committee.“However, we find ourselves in an awkward situation because the lower streams did not kick off and so the best decision under the circumstances is the 'no relegation' directive as there was no promotions, in the spirit of fairness.“The NPL leadership must respect the directive given by Fifa, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, and support the normalisation committee,” Garises said.She explained the direction that the NPL leadership is taking will only delay the league and put local football on the back foot - meaning that any plans for the NPL, the lower streams and the regional leagues will be delayed. She added the decision by Fifa was not personal, but was done in the spirit of fair play and is the best decision under the circumstances.Another football pundit, Alfie Ndjenge, shared Garises' sentiments. “Sadly our football is in turmoil and our football leaders are in a harsh and terrible predicament.“So much is happening in and out of the football offices and it's all mixed up; thus fuelling personnel egos and agendas.“The football story in Namibia is very sad. Fifa is the mother body of football and thus needs to be adhered to, otherwise local football will go nowhere,” Ndjenge said.LIMBA MUPETAMILIMBA MUPETAMI

NPL sponsors mum

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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NPL sponsors mum

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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