Uutoni pushes quotas

LIMBA MUPETAMIAfter taking the reins at the sports ministry in February, Erastus Uutoni has a clear plan for what should be accomplished under his watch. He also revealed exclusively to Namibian Sun that he is seriously looking at implementing quotas in order to transform certain sport codes. A quota system means that government will take a zero-tolerance approach towards the country's sporting teams who fail to fill their quotas of players of colour. In South it has caused much controversy, including government initially threatening to withhold its support for the South African Rugby Union's 2023 Rugby World Cup bid. In 2016, South African sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, banned the country's five top sports federations from bidding for or hosting major international tournaments for at least a year over their failure to create opportunities for black players. No to racismThe minister said he will never tolerate the exclusion of certain athletes of colour from sport codes, in particular codes that have previously been dominated by advantaged individuals. “I don't want to see a Namibian child discriminated against because of colour and because they are not friends with people in positions to better their lives. No child should be send home and refused a chance to participate. “If you love Namibia, whatever you have, share it with others. You will never enjoy alone, knowing that the whole nation is not happy. Uutoni encouraged those who might feel victimised to speak up and to make use of his office to address these issues. “Don't follow these people and also join their corruption because you fear that you will be sidelined. This is Namibia and it's for all of us,” he said. He reiterated that he has started to push for a serious look into a quota system, which will give athletes of colour an opportunity to join certain codes and allow for transformation.He said Namibian sport needs a total overhaul, in order to make room for visionary administrators, as well as updated policies and plans, accompanied by funds.Uutoni said this will ensure that athletes focus on their quest to excel both locally and internationally.He says over the years have pushed themselves, despite lack of infrastructure and insufficient funds. Some have even returned with gold medals from the Paralympic, as well as the Commonwealth Games.Uutoni says this proves that with more investment into sport, the sky is the limit.Uutoni said he has consulted widely since taking office seven months, while discussing the issues rocking the sporting fraternity and how best to improve.Some of the issues discussed were limited investment by government, a call for an autonomous ministry, which will deal exclusively with sporting matters, financial assistance to athletes en route to Tokyo 2020, nurturing talent at grassroots level, gender parity in sports, as well as racism in sport.The minister said he is passionate about a lot of things, as he has worked in various sectors of government over the years. Uutoni was elected as Ongwediva mayor in May 1998. He went on to become the deputy safety minister from 2010 until 2015, as well as the deputy home affairs minister from 2015 until early 2018, when he was appointed to cabinet. “Immediately when put into a new situation I develop and embrace. My love for sport as well as youth and national development grew, as I get to work with young men and women. I see the joy when they graduate from tertiary institutions. “They receive skills and when the black (graduation) toga gets removed, they can see the viable opportunities available. This is the same with sport. If you work hard, you will be rewarded,” Uutoni said. Importance of investment“There is political will to promote sport, but more is expected from us in sensitising others about activities, in our quest to lobby local sponsors to come on board in aiding athletes. We need to send the right messages to everyone for them to understand what we want in order for help to come to the athletes. “Sport is truly a profitable industry and if marketed well, it can provide employment for young people,” Uutoni added. Autonomous ministryHe said the ministry structure is fine as is. “We have a nation to deal with. If we have a separate ministry focusing only on sport, it will become difficult for the ministry of finance to distribute funds. People are already complaining that there are a lot of ministries. Let us just find ways to strategise and work better with what we have and put together a team that is dynamic in bettering sport.” Tokyo 2020 plans“The cabinet looks at priorities and we came up with the National Sports Reward Policy after marathon consultations. “The document provides guidance on how to reward Namibian athletes who deliver stellar performances at local and international events. Funds for this purpose will be provided by the ministry of sport through the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC). “It also covers competitions like the Olympics and Paralympics, world championships, Commonwealth Games, All-Africa Games, African championships and the Special Olympics. “The rewards differ from competition to competition and by age group. We did not budget for it but we hope that the next financial year will be a favourable one for sport. “We have athletes gearing up for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in a few years; we hope with this reward policy we will plough into their preparation. Funds will be given to those who qualify. The funds will aid them with their preparations; they will receive pocket money and coaches will also receive financial aid,” Uutoni explained. Grassroots development“The challenge we have are resources and infrastructure. I have visited some regions and looked at their infrastructure. Most only have football and tennis fields. They don't have rugby fields or indoor sport facilities. We cannot blame anybody for these shortcomings, but we are developing gradually and really need to sensitise communities to see the importance of all sport codes and the need for athletes to participate in these codes,” the sports minister said. Looking to the futureThe minister said he is passionate about a sport expo, where all sports lovers come together to share ideas and boost their clubs and federations through networking with businesspeople as well with ordinary sports lovers.He said there has been movement in terms of acquiring a building where a sports museum will be established so Namibians can learn about the sport achievers of yesteryear.“Our history is lost. There are so many achievers in their old age who we can celebrate and I want to see their stories in the museum. Some of these people are your brothers and uncles.”The minister added that clubs and federations should collaborate with their international counterparts. “We have signed a memorandums of understanding with Jamaica, Senegal as well as Germany recently to help one another. We are dependent on each other but the help should not be conditional' there should be no strings attached,” he emphasised.On a lighter note the minister shared he enjoys exercising and used to play football and take part in athletics and volleyball. “I ran the 100m and 200m back in the day at my high school. But right now I cannot say which club I support as people might take offence,” he said, while laughing.

Uutoni pushes quotas

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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Uutoni pushes quotas

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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