Africa-Press – Namibia. THE COUNTRY IS riddled with vicious and unfortunate power struggles among the broad leadership of Namibian football. It is expected that the highest echelon of leadership in the premier sport ought to always safeguard the interest of the organisation and nation.
I was jovial and paid the new leadership a courtesy call after their successful elective congress. This gesture of sportsmanship intended to pledge my unwavering support towards the new leadership in the development of football at all levels.
My good intentions, however, did not receive appropriate and timely feedback, appreciation and consideration. Little did I know the battle of the soul of the well-sought public good became the order of the day.
I must hasten to indicate that the leadership in general should be reinforced with checks-and-balance mechanisms. The public leaders are given the power to manage the affairs of public institutions with care and diligence in the best interest of the nation.
That means whatever they do should be in the interest of those who entrusted them with the keys to public office. While returning from Cape Town on a national assignment recently, my colleague Alex Clive Gawanab asked me the fundamental question: “How can we resolve the power struggle in football?”
This made me to reflect on the inspiring words of Martin Luther King Jr when he eloquently stated: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” In this regard, the citizens cannot afford to be silent on matters of national importance, such as football.
Isack Hamata, a seasoned sport administrator, cautioned that “we need to create goodwill among sponsors by managing the leadership transition with some high degree of sensitivity”. The football leadership crisis has left the nation bleeding.
It has divided the nation along tribal, ethical and regional lines, it has deprived players of sustainable monthly income to support their families with, and has crippled the football supply chain, including small vendors, transport, accommodation, and information technology businesses, as well as the local suppliers of team apparel.
Additionally, technical people, such as referees, are losing touch with the game, and their level of fitness is compromised. Referees are no longer selected to officiate at international competitions due to inactivity and what is happening in the country.
Furthermore, football tourism has become non-existent at local towns and municipalities. The scramble has given the game a bad reputation, and has scared off local and international corporate sponsors and investors.
The power struggle has severely strained the country’s readiness and competitiveness at international level. Trust in football leadership has been eroded to zero. The ability of football to change lives is in danger. What is to be done?
The football fraternity should urgently convene a soul-searching indaba to address issues such as leadership crisis management, investor confidence, and reputational management and reconciliation.
It is important that the leadership looks itself in the mirror and relegate those leaders who are self-centred and egoistic. The indaba should also devise strategies to do away with leaders who promote factionalism, tribalism, and regionalism.
Despite this noble expectation, football leaders will not be in a position to reconcile without national strategic intervention. Sport minister Agnes Tjongarero attempted in the past to reconcile different factions in football. These efforts were met with cold water and were deemed as interference.
This is contrary to the fact that the government is periodically called upon to intervene and support football with financial resources. Consequently, it is highly recommended that president Hage Geingob in his capacity as patron of the Namibia Football Federation and head of state intervene and mediate between factions in the best interest of the nation.
A body of eminent personalities should be appointed to assist the president in birthing a new chapter in football. This approach would safeguard the country from being placed under administration by Fifa through another normalisation committee.
It would be a shame if Fifa had to establish another committee to rectify a situation they thought could be solved through the electoral process. How do we want the world to perceive us if we are not able to manage our own football affairs?
How can our players, men and women, compete against other nations when they are disturbed by shenanigans at home? The sum of our respective egos should not be allowed to further inflict local and international reputational damage to football and the country.
Football administrators should never be allowed to rob innocent young talents from achieving their dreams at the behest of personal interest and politics. Football belongs on the field of play, and not in boardrooms.
