From the sideline

IT is close to six months now that the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has not formally charged ousted second vice president Salomo Naukushu for allegedly trying to depose football boss Petrus Damaseb.

The NFA is claiming that Naukushu was called to executive meetings where he was supposed to be told about his fate, but his failure to attend them meant that no decision could be taken. After suspending Naukushu, the NFA said it had reliable information and proof that he was campaigning behind Damaseb’s back to garner support for instituting a vote of no confidence in the Judge President.At the time, the NFA said it would have to suspend Naukushu to investigate the matter and to eventually make a decision on his position as the second vice president.I am sure that by now the investigations should have been completed and a decision should have been taken already.Why the delay? The only logical conclusion is that the NFA is trying to get rid of Naukushu by keeping quiet and seeing if he wouldn’t resign of his own accord, which would nullify the whole case.A resignation would mean that all charges or allegations levelled against him would be dropped and life will go on at Soccer House.But I think it is unfair to keep a man on the sidelines for more than five months with him not knowing what he has done wrong.Naukushu has publicly stated that he knows nothing of the said plot against Damaseb and wanted the association to prove it to him.Naukushu was called to one of the executive meetings about two months after his suspension, thinking that he would be informed what was going to happen to him.The issue was never discussed at that meeting.Now, how do you tell someone to attend a gathering where you will tell him about his fate, and then totally ignore him? Naukushu physically sat in the meeting.Four months down the line, the association still claims that it has requested Naukushu to attend meetings, but he decided otherwise.Now, if the first meeting did not address this issue, why bother attending any further meetings? Naukushu said on enquiry that he has not received any written communication from the association informing him to attend a meeting for the past four months.He said even when he was asked to attend the first meeting, he never received a letter, but was called a day before the meeting.Now how about that for professionals in such a high office? The fact that the NFA has the audacity to keep the career of such a seasoned football official on ice is simply not on.This man’s life in football has virtually come to a standstill.He has probably missed several opportunities of serving on the committees of various clubs in whatever capacity because of his suspension.Although it is not clear if he can be involved in any other football activity pending the finalisation of his suspension, it is pointless because the NFA is the custodian of the game in the country and, at some point or other, he has to face them.The NFA is supposed to be a transparent organisation that sets an example to its affiliates and its associate members.Now, when dealing with such a straightforward issue that could have been resolved months ago, how should the clubs run their affairs? Should they also follow the dirty politics of their mother body? I think it is time that the ones in charge play a leading role in addressing issues openly and honestly, instead of playing tactics with the careers or futures of other people.To be honest, I am not defending Naukushu, but the process and the way in which this matter is being dealt with is really disturbing.The structures to deal with such cases are there, why should the NFA use such shameless trickery, or are the ones in charge not good enough to bring this matter to an end? If people are not genuine about the advancement of football and fail to finalise an issue such as Naukushu’s – get independent people who can tackle it then.I call on the NFA to please put this issue to rest as they have robbed Namibian football of a sound administrator who was at least willing to talk to the media.Let fairness prevail in your decisions, gentlemen.After suspending Naukushu, the NFA said it had reliable information and proof that he was campaigning behind Damaseb’s back to garner support for instituting a vote of no confidence in the Judge President.At the time, the NFA said it would have to suspend Naukushu to investigate the matter and to eventually make a decision on his position as the second vice president.I am sure that by now the investigations should have been completed and a decision should have been taken already.Why the delay? The only logical conclusion is that the NFA is trying to get rid of Naukushu by keeping quiet and seeing if he wouldn’t resign of his own accord, which would nullify the whole case.A resignation would mean that all charges or allegations levelled against him would be dropped and life will go on at Soccer House.But I think it is unfair to keep a man on the sidelines for more than five months with him not knowing what he has done wrong.Naukushu has publicly stated that he knows nothing of the said plot against Damaseb and wanted the association to prove it to him.Naukushu was called to one of the executive meetings about two months after his suspension, thinking that he would be informed what was going to happen to him.The issue was never discussed at that meeting.Now, how do you tell someone to attend a gathering where you will tell him about his fate, and then totally ignore him? Naukushu physically sat in the meeting.Four months down the line, the association still claims that it has requested Naukushu to attend meetings, but he decided otherwise.Now, if the first meeting did not address this issue, why bother attending any further meetings? Naukushu said on enquiry that he has not received any written communication from the association informing him to attend a meeting for the past four months.He said even when he was asked to attend the first meeting, he never received a letter, but was called a day before the meeting.Now how about that for professionals in such a high office? The fact that the NFA has the audacity to keep the career of such a seasoned football official on ice is simply not on.This man’s life in football has virtually come to a standstill.He has probably missed several opportunities of serving on the committees of various clubs in whatever capacity because of his suspension.Although it is not clear if he can be involved in any other football activity pending the finalisation of his suspension, it is pointless because the NFA is the custodian of the game in the country and, at some point or other, he has to face them.The NFA is supposed to be a transparent organisation that sets an example to its affiliates and its associate members.Now, when dealing with such a straightforward issue that could have been resolved months ago, how should the clubs run their affairs? Should they also follow the dirty politics of their mother body? I think it is time that the ones in charge play a leading role in addressing issues openly and honestly, instead of playing tactics with the careers or futures of other people.To be honest, I am not defending Naukushu, but the process and the way in which this matter is being dealt with is really disturbing.The structures to deal with such cases are there, why should the NFA use such shameless trickery, or are the ones in charge not good enough to bring this matter to an end? If people are not genuine about the advancement of football and fail to finalise an issue such as Naukushu’s – get independent people who can tackle it then.I call on the NFA to please put this issue to rest as they have robbed Namibian football of a sound administrator who was at least willing to talk to the media.Let fairness prevail in your decisions, gentlemen.