NSC intervenes in NFA 'brawl'
The NFA SG and president have been advised to stop the public spats they are conducting via the media.
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya says he will call Namibia Football Association (NFA) secretary-general Barry Rukoro and the association's president Frans Mbidi to a meeting, so they can discuss their ongoing verbal brawling.
Football followers around the country have expressed their dismay over the ongoing media jousting between NFA leaders.
The fight between the association's president Frans Mbidi and its secretary-general Barry Rukoro has been heating up over the past few weeks.
They have both recently used the media to blame each other for bad administration at the NFA.
Mwiya, however, advised the two administrators to refrain from taking their differences to the media.
“It is definitely not a good thing that Rukoro and Mbidi are fighting in this manner.
“I have been following the ongoing brawls and I am planning on inviting them to clear this issue,” Mwiya said.
Many in footballing circles also described the fight between the two bigwigs as childish, while saying that this will tarnish the game. “This is the most painful episode in Namibian football. It is clear for all to see that the relationship between the NFA president and his secretary-general has broken down irretrievably,” said well-known former football scribe Isack Hamata.
“From what we read in the papers, all love and trust between the two of them has been lost. One can only imagine how that is affecting the mood at Football House and the embarrassment it is causing the football fraternity.” Hamata added the matter has moved far beyond who is wrong and who is right.
He feels that extensive damage has been caused to the country's football brand and it has become unpalatable for him to digest the commotion.
“Considering they have taken their war to the public via the media, it will be difficult if not impossible for the two gentlemen to sort out their differences as grown men.”
Hamata urged sports authorities, particularly the NSC to step in and rescue football.
“FIFA too are aware of what is happening and we cannot sit idle and wait until Namibian football explodes beyond unmanageable proportions. The time to step in is now.”
An NFA employee, who chose to remain anonymous, said he is worried about the situation. “Things are really turning ugly at the football association and we all fear for the worst. “As an employee here, I can see what this fight is causing and it is only a matter of time before things collapse. “It is a shame that the two gentlemen are battling like kids, just to have more power in the association,” the employee said. The feud between the two began after the NFA president announced earlier this month that he will not renew the SG's contract when it expires at the end of next month.
Mbidi's decision was, however, shot down by the majority of NFA executive committee members who suggested that it was unconstitutional.
The fight intensified when Mbidi confirmed to the media that his secretary-general allegedly assaulted Cosafa president Phillip Chiyangwa in South Africa.
Mbidi further accused Rukoro of taking decisions without consulting the president or the NFA executive.
Rukoro has denied the allegations, while adding that Mbidi is being driven by personal vendettas.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Football followers around the country have expressed their dismay over the ongoing media jousting between NFA leaders.
The fight between the association's president Frans Mbidi and its secretary-general Barry Rukoro has been heating up over the past few weeks.
They have both recently used the media to blame each other for bad administration at the NFA.
Mwiya, however, advised the two administrators to refrain from taking their differences to the media.
“It is definitely not a good thing that Rukoro and Mbidi are fighting in this manner.
“I have been following the ongoing brawls and I am planning on inviting them to clear this issue,” Mwiya said.
Many in footballing circles also described the fight between the two bigwigs as childish, while saying that this will tarnish the game. “This is the most painful episode in Namibian football. It is clear for all to see that the relationship between the NFA president and his secretary-general has broken down irretrievably,” said well-known former football scribe Isack Hamata.
“From what we read in the papers, all love and trust between the two of them has been lost. One can only imagine how that is affecting the mood at Football House and the embarrassment it is causing the football fraternity.” Hamata added the matter has moved far beyond who is wrong and who is right.
He feels that extensive damage has been caused to the country's football brand and it has become unpalatable for him to digest the commotion.
“Considering they have taken their war to the public via the media, it will be difficult if not impossible for the two gentlemen to sort out their differences as grown men.”
Hamata urged sports authorities, particularly the NSC to step in and rescue football.
“FIFA too are aware of what is happening and we cannot sit idle and wait until Namibian football explodes beyond unmanageable proportions. The time to step in is now.”
An NFA employee, who chose to remain anonymous, said he is worried about the situation. “Things are really turning ugly at the football association and we all fear for the worst. “As an employee here, I can see what this fight is causing and it is only a matter of time before things collapse. “It is a shame that the two gentlemen are battling like kids, just to have more power in the association,” the employee said. The feud between the two began after the NFA president announced earlier this month that he will not renew the SG's contract when it expires at the end of next month.
Mbidi's decision was, however, shot down by the majority of NFA executive committee members who suggested that it was unconstitutional.
The fight intensified when Mbidi confirmed to the media that his secretary-general allegedly assaulted Cosafa president Phillip Chiyangwa in South Africa.
Mbidi further accused Rukoro of taking decisions without consulting the president or the NFA executive.
Rukoro has denied the allegations, while adding that Mbidi is being driven by personal vendettas.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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