Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Fifa Normalisation Committee for Namibia (NC) will resuscitate ‘the heartbeat of the nation’, says the interim Namibia Football Association head Bisey Uirab.
Speaking to Desert Radio 95.3FM recently, Uirab said football provides a livelihood to many youth who engage in the game and, therefore, needs to be back in the stadiums as soon as possible.
To achieve that objective, unity in the football fraternity is imperative.
Fifa appointed Uirab, his deputy Afra Schimming-Chase and ordinary members Willy Meertens, Esmeralda Muhinatjo Katjaerua and Dinaa Shituula for that purpose late last Month.
“My understanding is that obviously football is a game for the Namibians and the game loved by all of us,” he said.
Uirab said he has been following the issues pertaining to domestic football and that like all Namibians, he too is concerned about the leadership squabbles that have derailed the beautiful game.
“What I have noticed over the years is that there seems to have been some challenges within the leadership structure of the football administration in the country and that seems to have caused some setbacks,” Uirab observed.
“My understanding of our mandate really is to look into the administrative, governance, managerial, stakeholders’ challenges that are currently being experienced at the NFA head office and generally in the game of football.”
The composition of NC is centred around sound governance and effective administration, areas they excel in.
“Many people made remarks when we were appointed to the extent that those in the committee are not necessarily football players or not directly linked to football, but my understanding is that the challenges we are facing in our football today are not necessarily technical football issues,” Uirab explained.
Uirab did not promise to have the domestic football league kick off in August, as suggested in football circles.
However, he said the idea is to have the various leagues up and running in the shortest possible time.
“There are issues of governance and processes of managing football in our country; challenges around administration, challenges around communication and people in relationships, and that I understand is the challenge that we are facing that we were called upon to come and assist in trying to get the issues right.”
The remedial football body held a meeting with NFA staff on Monday to familiarise itself with the activities at Soccer House.
It is important for the normalisation committee, which still requires a Fifa integrity check, to engage various football stakeholders, especially the members of the football association, Uirab noted.
The soft-spoken chairperson said they would hold talks with the government, other sports codes administrators, sponsors and most poignantly the Namibia Premier League (NPL), which was expelled from the NFA structures and set up a rival national football body.
“It is the commitment of the NC to abide by the Fifa statutes and requirements and respects its guidance fully. The NC is dedicated to executing its mandate with the support of the NFA administration, staff and management,” said Uirab.
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