From the side line

THE Namibia Football Association (NFA) is gradually falling apart.

This has been confirmed by the recent coup by an interim committee that called itself into life, while the administration, financial standing and the integrity of the ones in charge, complements the current dark chapter in the local game. There is still a debate going on whether the take-over by the interim committee was constitutional.But apart from that, the writing is on the wall; the NFA is in a crisis that will potentially derail what has been build on thus far.The leadership crisis initially started right after the departure of Judge President Petrus Damaseb, who was at the helm for at least 10 years.Damaseb’s departure left Muinjo in charge and his changes to personnel at Soccer House caused all this mayhem.Muinjo and his new executive committee that he inherited from Damaseb, saw it inevitable for a new-look Soccer House.He said that he intended to have a professional set-up, instead of the incompetent and money-driven individuals at the body that has been dodged by numerous scandals over the years.Muinjo was part of all these scandals that took place over the years, but he was overshadowed by Damaseb, while the Chief of Administration at Soccer House, Alpheus Gaweseb, was the one responsible for letting this happen.Gaweseb fed the executive committee with what he wanted them to hear and all they had to do was concur with him, but Damaseb always had the last say.At the moment, Muinjo’s call for change has been met with resistance, possibly because of his stance on transparency.Now it is being referred to as a tribal issue because he is said to be after the ousting of the Damaras at Soccer House.On that score, let’s leave it to the Ordinary Congress, which I am told comes up on August 5.The ones who want to be in charge should fight it out fair and square at the Congress, but a consensus should be found about who is in charge until that time – the interim committee or the executive committee? In fact, the interim committee which was formed last week has confronted Muinjo’s executive with numerous questions ranging from the appointment of staff, non-payment of teams in the first division, the sale of World Cup tickets, the long-term plan of the NFA and several other issues.The man who needs to answer all these questions is the Secretary General, Gaweseb.He is the centre of football in this country.He is possibly the most powerful figure in the game as he determines the future of the game.One wonders if he is aware of this.Gaweseb, who single-handedly manages the finances of the NFA, has failed dismally to be that important figure.Gaweseb is answerable to the Namibian football-loving nation and only he knows how he has survived in office, while football in the country is not in a healthy state.Now, why blame the executive committee.It is simple.The weaknesses of the executive committee are exposed by the incompetency of its chief administrative head.Gaweseb’s actions determine the performance of the national teams and the growth of football from grassroots up to premiership level.He is the man with the budget.He determines, in consultation with the technical department, how many training camps the national team should have to be competitive enough.He determines the budgets to leagues as well as for youth development and has all the human resources in the regions to keep him abreast with what happens there.He should direct the game by offering solutions to problems, while keeping the game on par with world standards.He should come up with bright ideas on the seasonal improvement of the domestic game.He should be able to tell the executive committee to their face that Namibia stands a chance to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.Why? Because he knows how much has been invested in the game from the bottom up to the top level.Investment in players will automatically bring out the best from them and there will be winning teams.Gaweseb’s poor relations with the various stakeholders, including the media, make him the culprit of the poor state of affairs at Soccer House, especially regarding its financial position and the general administration of the game.Him being the person who informs the executive and advises them on all the affairs of the game, has failed them by putting their integrity on the line.He has exposed his past and current executive members so badly that they are even afraid to say anything to the media.This is continuing and reflects badly on the current members, while Fifa officials have expressed disappointment about how the game is being run in the country.Soccer House does not currently have proper financial control.Money is missing and the NFA’s vehicles have disappeared without trace.Not all at Soccer House are bad administrators, but there is a need for improvement in personnel and the position of secretary general should be based on performance.There is still a debate going on whether the take-over by the interim committee was constitutional.But apart from that, the writing is on the wall; the NFA is in a crisis that will potentially derail what has been build on thus far.The leadership crisis initially started right after the departure of Judge President Petrus Damaseb, who was at the helm for at least 10 years.Damaseb’s departure left Muinjo in charge and his changes to personnel at Soccer House caused all this mayhem.Muinjo and his new executive committee that he inherited from Damaseb, saw it inevitable for a new-look Soccer House.He said that he intended to have a professional set-up, instead of the incompetent and money-driven individuals at the body that has been dodged by numerous scandals over the years.Muinjo was part of all these scandals that took place over the years, but he was overshadowed by Damaseb, while the Chief of Administration at Soccer House, Alpheus Gaweseb, was the one responsible for letting this happen.Gaweseb fed the executive committee with what he wanted them to hear and all they had to do was concur with him, but Damaseb always had the last say.At the moment, Muinjo’s call for change has been met with resistance, possibly because of his stance on transparency.Now it is being referred to as a tribal issue because he is said to be after the ousting of the Damaras at Soccer House.On that score, let’s leave it to the Ordinary Congress, which I am told comes up on August 5.The ones who want to be in charge should fight it out fair and square at the Congress, but a consensus should be found about who is in charge until that time – the interim committee or the executive committee? In fact, the interim committee which was formed last week has confronted Muinjo’s executive with numerous questions ranging from the appointment of staff, non-payment of teams in the first division, the sale of World Cup tickets, the long-term plan of the NFA and several other issues.The man who needs to answer all these questions is the Secretary General, Gaweseb.He is the centre of football in this country.He is possibly the most powerful figure in the game as he determines the future of the game.One wonders if he is aware of this.Gaweseb, who single-handedly manages the finances of the NFA, has failed dismally to be that important figure.Gaweseb is answerable to the Namibian football-loving nation and only he knows how he has survived in office, while football in the country is not in a healthy state.Now, why blame the executive committee.It is simple.The weaknesses of the executive committee are exposed by the incompetency of its chief administrative head.Gaweseb’s actions determine the performance of the national teams and the growth of football from grassroots up to premiership level.He is the man with the budget.He determines, in consultation with the technical department, how many training camps the national team should have to be competitive enough.He determines the budgets to leagues as well as for youth development and has all the human resources in the regions to keep him abreast with what happens there.He should direct the game by offering solutions to problems, while keeping the game on par with world standards.He should come up with bright ideas on the seasonal improvement of the domestic game.He should be able to tell the executive committee to their face that Namibia stands a chance to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.Why? Because he knows how much has been invested in the game from the bottom up to the top level.Investment in players will automatically bring out the best from them and there will be winning teams. Gaweseb’s poor relations with the various stakeholders, including the media, make him the culprit of the poor state of affairs at Soccer House, especially regarding its financial position and the general administration of the game.Him being the person who informs the executive and advises them on all the affairs of the game, has failed them by putting their integrity on the line.He has exposed his past and current executive members so badly that they are even afraid to say anything to the media.This is continuing and reflects badly on the current members, while Fifa officials have expressed disappointment about how the game is being run in the country.Soccer House does not currently have proper financial control.Money is missing and the NFA’s vehicles have disappeared without trace.Not all at Soccer House are bad administrators, but there is a need for improvement in personnel and the position of secretary general should be based on performance.