//Kharas Football Region (KFR) chairman Emrico Blaauw has resigned from the position with immediate effect, citing compliance with the Namibia Sports Act and the Namibia Football Association (NFA) statutes.
Blaauw confirmed resignation to The Namibian Sport this week.
He says serving as a local authority councillor for the Keetmanshoop Municipality and chairperson for the football body contravenes the sports act.
A letter addressed to NFA acting general secretary Johannes Vries, and seen by The Namibian reads: “I would like to bring under your attention my decision after careful consideration, and as by the NFA statutes, namely Article 36 (5) (f) and section 25 of the Namibia Sports Act, 2003 (Act No.12 of 2003).”
“I would, therefore, like to submit to the AGS to formally receive my resignation with immediate effect as chairman of the ||Kharas Region Football. Me serving would be a non-compliance issue on the side of the NFA in contravention to the Sports Commission Act,” Blaauw says.
Responding to questions from The Namibian Sport, Blaauw says the incoming leadership should align their goals and vision alongside the NFA executive council’s vision and goals.
“The NFA is led by the visionary Robert Shimooshili, who has steadily steered football amid the challenges it faces.”
Blaauw says the vice chairperson of the ||Kharas Region Football’s functioning executive committee should assume the role of chairperson until the next elections.
“It should just be confirmed and agreed upon at the next annual general meeting of the regional association.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
Blaauw says the first thing he did with his team was to stop the handling of cash within the association. He says they migrated to electronic fund transfers for all transactions because of the small funding from the NFA.
“We could not afford spending any penny unwisely.”
He says he does not see anything as an achievement but they needed implement changes earlier.
“If you have a good team around you, anything can be achieved. For example, we ended fourth at the 2025 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, and in this year’s edition, we ended third which is an upward trajectory.
“As a team we managed to secure office space for our regional leadership at Keetmanshoop,” he says.
CHALLENGES
Blaauw says one of the challenges the region faced was that its vastness was not sustainable.
He says it is difficult to have a team playing in the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) when there are no funds to cover the expenses.
“That is why, we don’t see the full potential of our players because of the conditions. Clubs are in traveling in bakkies which is affordable but inconvenient just to save costs.”
Blaauw adds that poor infrastructure has hampered football because only three towns have proper grass pitches.
“All the other towns’ league games are played on gravel.”
He says he will now be focussed on the Keetmanshoop Municipality, which needs full attention for it to be successful.
REGIONAL INDEPENDENT BUDGET
Blaauw says a budget should be independent and according to the dynamics of each region. He says a blanket approach will not help.
“My role going forward will be to assist my team NPFL outfit Brazilian FC because when you are in a position of leadership, you tend to neglect your own team.”
However, he says he will always give his advice if it is needed.
“||Kharas football success is a reflection of all the teams and football fraternity within the region.”
He says better funding for teams would expose the true potential of players from the ||Kharas region.
“Because only with proper equipment and assistance can one achieve results.”
