From the Sidelines

PUBLIC attention will shift to the opening of the Sam Nujoma Stadium this weekend after the unfolding of dramatic events in court regarding the Avid scandal.

By now, most people know the scandal which involves the missing N$30 million of the Social Security Commission (SSC), which was entrusted to an investment company named Avid. Well, the scandal, which saw some sensational revelations from the ones involved, will be temporarily be put aside at the weekend, as former president Sam Nujoma will take the podium to officially inaugurate the N$64 million stadium in Katutura.Football administrators will take pride in reaching another milestone when this facility opens tomorrow, thanks to the bold initiative by the City of Windhoek to construct a brand-new stadium in the city.With all the cultural performances, concerts and football matches planned for the day, I think the City of Windhoek has failed to consult on a broad basis on the usage of the stadium in the future.The City of Windhoek has set a fee of N$4 500 per team for a match and the use of a kiosk as well as parking, (excluding the VIP section).For music concerts, church functions or other activities, the organisers will have to fork out N$7 500 to rent the stadium.A discount will be considered for these organisations.There is just no point in having such high fees for the use of the stadium.Officials at the City of Windhoek have consistently claimed that the fees are primarily meant to pay for the upkeep of the stadium.But still, did they check which teams will play there on a regular basis? Of course these teams will be Namibia Premier League (NPL) sides and possibly first-division teams and can they really afford this amount weekend after weekend? The Independence Stadium is always in top shape for football matches and it is also cheaper than the astronomical fees set by the City of Windhoek for the new stadium.Mind you, the Independence Stadium also caters for athletics meets throughout the year and the facilities are still in good order.What makes the Katutura Stadium so much more expensive than the Independence Stadium? Is it because it is brand new? Some of the NPL teams who will play some of their matches there have already complained about the high fees.It is a fact that clubs do not even get enough money to fulfil all their league commitments and often rely on the pockets of the owners of the teams.I know of some teams who have gone into overdraft and still owe banks thousands of dollars as they had to honour their league obligations throughout the season.The start-up capital they receive from the league authorities is simply not enough.Although the City of Windhoek said it would review the tariffs after six months, it is just not fair to assume that it will be affordable.This also goes for the schools, church groups or performing artists who want to do have their functions there.Generally, schools don’t have the biggest budgets for the events they want to host.A recent under-13 football tournament held by Mandume Primary school had only N$400 in prize money for the winner.Now, if you charge a school N$7 500 to have a tournament at the stadium, how will they pay the prizes for the winners? It is laughable but it’s true.Although the fees have been set and approved by Council, a review after six months is too long.Three months is long enough to consider the reduction of these tariffs.The fees should be reduced considerably because the City of Windhoek will at all costs try to avoid having an empty stadium over weekends.Let alone for it to turn into a white elephant.The Sam Nujoma Stadium is a superb facility and its usage will only be beneficial for it to be properly maintained.Some people were also unhappy about the payment at the gates on the day of the inauguration.But I think N$10 for adults and N$5 for children is more than fair.People should get out of the habit of expecting to get things for free.There will be cultural performances, three football matches, a live music concert and fireworks – all for N$10.It is only fair because the City of Windhoek has to compensate whoever performs on the day, while the actual upkeep of the stadium should also be kept in mind.As a citizen, one should be considerate to some of these issues.Well, we hope for a some moving cultural performances, action-packed football matches, a fantastic music concert and some explosive but safe fireworks on the opening of the stadium tomorrow.Well, the scandal, which saw some sensational revelations from the ones involved, will be temporarily be put aside at the weekend, as former president Sam Nujoma will take the podium to officially inaugurate the N$64 million stadium in Katutura.Football administrators will take pride in reaching another milestone when this facility opens tomorrow, thanks to the bold initiative by the City of Windhoek to construct a brand-new stadium in the city.With all the cultural performances, concerts and football matches planned for the day, I think the City of Windhoek has failed to consult on a broad basis on the usage of the stadium in the future.The City of Windhoek has set a fee of N$4 500 per team for a match and the use of a kiosk as well as parking, (excluding the VIP section).For music concerts, church functions or other activities, the organisers will have to fork out N$7 500 to rent the stadium.A discount will be considered for these organisations.There is just no point in having such high fees for the use of the stadium.Officials at the City of Windhoek have consistently claimed that the fees are primarily meant to pay for the upkeep of the stadium.But still, did they check which teams will play there on a regular basis? Of course these teams will be Namibia Premier League (NPL) sides and possibly first-division teams and can they really afford this amount weekend after weekend? The Independence Stadium is always in top shape for football matches and it is also cheaper than the astronomical fees set by the City of Windhoek for the new stadium.Mind you, the Independence Stadium also caters for athletics meets throughout the year and the facilities are still in good order.What makes the Katutura Stadium so much more expensive than the Independence Stadium? Is it because it is brand new? Some of the NPL teams who will play some of their matches there have already complained about the high fees.It is a fact that clubs do not even get enough money to fulfil all their league commitments and often rely on the pockets of the owners of the teams.I know of some teams who have gone into overdraft and still owe banks thousands of dollars as they had to honour their league obligations throughout the season.The start-up capital they receive from the league authorities is simply not enough.Although the City of Windhoek said it would review the tariffs after six months, it is just not fair to assume that it will be affordable.This also goes for the schools, church groups or performing artists who want to do have their functions there.Generally, schools don’t have the biggest budgets for the events they want to host.A recent under-13 football tournament held by Mandume Primary school had only N$400 in prize money for the winner.Now, if you charge a school N$7 500 to have a tournament at the stadium, how will they pay the prizes for the winners? It is laughable but it’s true.Although the fees have been set and approved by Council, a review after six months is too long.Three months is long enough to consider the reduction of these tariffs.The fees should be reduced considerably because the City of Windhoek will at all costs try to avoid having an empty stadium over weekends.Let alone for it to turn into a white elephant.The Sam Nujoma Stadium is a superb facility and its usage will only be beneficial for it to be properly maintained.Some people were also unhappy about the payment at the gates on the day of the inauguration.But I think N$10 for adults and N$5 for children is more than fair.People should get out of the habit of expecting to get things for free.There will be cultural performances, three football matches, a live music concert and fireworks – all for N$10.It is only fair because the City of Windhoek has to compensate whoever performs on the day, while the actual upkeep of the stadium should also be kept in mind.As a citizen, one should be considerate to some of these issues.Well, we hope for a some moving cultural performances, action-packed football matches, a fantastic music concert and some explosive but safe fireworks on the opening of the stadium tomorrow.