Politics is killing the game
Namibian footballers are not impressed with the squabbling between the football top brass.
Namibian footballers are disgruntled by the political drama taking place behind the scenes at the Namibian Football Association (NFA), Namibia Premier League and the recently established Ad-hoc Committee.
Drama ensued after six premier league clubs - Tigers, African Stars, Black Africa, Blue Waters, Orlando Pirates and Chief Santos - boycotted the Debmarine Namibia Cup in retaliation to the NFA's decision to annul the NPL interim management committee and replace it with an NFA Ad-hoc Committee.
The NPL interim committee was put in place in February to run the affairs of the league for six months. The decision was taken at an extraordinary general meeting following the resignation of Johnny Doëseb as chairman. However, their duties have been taken over by the Ad-hoc Committee.
The Ad-hoc Committee was established in order to oversee administrative and management responsibilities of the league and is headed by NFA executive member Roger Kambatuku, who has to take over sponsorship negotiations and ensure that the NPL kicks off on 12 May.
However, this did not sit well with some members, who decided to pull strings to boycott the Debmarine Cup and other activities arranged by the NFA. Three players from different clubs whom Namibian Sun spoke to said they were not impressed with this action by the booted interim committee members.
“We are tired of the power play going on between the big dogs of the football fraternity and wish for everyone to put all the drama behind them and focus on the important task at hand.
“This is just a political thing which is causing confusion and destruction towards people who have nothing to do with their agendas. Debmarine Cup was launched in December. Clubs had enough time to prepare. But they didn't. They then turned around and decided to leave saying that they were not ready,” said one player.
“They must just stop because the league has been inactive for almost a year. Now that things are looking good they are sabotaging it again. We want to feed our families and take care of ourselves but how can we do that if this is happening? We need the money from the league to survive,” he said.
Another player said the NFA management and some members of the board of governors (BoG) had personal issues with each other.
“Some of these guys just want to be in charge and now that they are not getting their way they want everyone to suffer. They should all work together for one goal.”
Namibian Sun asked NFA president Barry Rukoro why a committee was established while there were already capable people to do that. He said it was not about capability but about legality.
“The interim body was not legally recognised. Just because someone can drive doesn't mean they should be on the road. Everyone should follow procedures.”
He emphasised that the media should do their job and ask certain coaches why their teams did not start preparing on time.
“Call and ask if there is something which they know that we don't,” he said.
MTC, which is meant to sponsor the league, is now threatening to pull out if things are not in order on time.
Before going to print, a board of governors meeting was to be held at the NFA to decide the fate of the clubs.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Drama ensued after six premier league clubs - Tigers, African Stars, Black Africa, Blue Waters, Orlando Pirates and Chief Santos - boycotted the Debmarine Namibia Cup in retaliation to the NFA's decision to annul the NPL interim management committee and replace it with an NFA Ad-hoc Committee.
The NPL interim committee was put in place in February to run the affairs of the league for six months. The decision was taken at an extraordinary general meeting following the resignation of Johnny Doëseb as chairman. However, their duties have been taken over by the Ad-hoc Committee.
The Ad-hoc Committee was established in order to oversee administrative and management responsibilities of the league and is headed by NFA executive member Roger Kambatuku, who has to take over sponsorship negotiations and ensure that the NPL kicks off on 12 May.
However, this did not sit well with some members, who decided to pull strings to boycott the Debmarine Cup and other activities arranged by the NFA. Three players from different clubs whom Namibian Sun spoke to said they were not impressed with this action by the booted interim committee members.
“We are tired of the power play going on between the big dogs of the football fraternity and wish for everyone to put all the drama behind them and focus on the important task at hand.
“This is just a political thing which is causing confusion and destruction towards people who have nothing to do with their agendas. Debmarine Cup was launched in December. Clubs had enough time to prepare. But they didn't. They then turned around and decided to leave saying that they were not ready,” said one player.
“They must just stop because the league has been inactive for almost a year. Now that things are looking good they are sabotaging it again. We want to feed our families and take care of ourselves but how can we do that if this is happening? We need the money from the league to survive,” he said.
Another player said the NFA management and some members of the board of governors (BoG) had personal issues with each other.
“Some of these guys just want to be in charge and now that they are not getting their way they want everyone to suffer. They should all work together for one goal.”
Namibian Sun asked NFA president Barry Rukoro why a committee was established while there were already capable people to do that. He said it was not about capability but about legality.
“The interim body was not legally recognised. Just because someone can drive doesn't mean they should be on the road. Everyone should follow procedures.”
He emphasised that the media should do their job and ask certain coaches why their teams did not start preparing on time.
“Call and ask if there is something which they know that we don't,” he said.
MTC, which is meant to sponsor the league, is now threatening to pull out if things are not in order on time.
Before going to print, a board of governors meeting was to be held at the NFA to decide the fate of the clubs.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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