From the Sidelines

Namibian football, being the prime sport in the country netted a consequential sponsorship deal worth N$40 million earlier this week.

This, truly expects to see the code being lifted from the current poor state into a formidable force of which Namibians should be proud of. Namibians, after five years should be able to say that they are proud of their football in the country, proud to have competent leaders in the game and proud to have excellent players who does duty for their country with distinction.Firstly, the NFA should be thankful that they are undoubtedly the biggest beneficiaries of funding in sport in the country at the moment.The consortium of companies, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), First National Bank Namibia (FNB) and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) once again demonstrated, in bold, their commitment to the development of the game in the country.They will be around for the next five years and will part ways with N$8 million each year to make football the winner in many respects.The three companies, especially MTC, which will carry the bulk of the sponsorship as it has a 50 per cent stake, needs to be applauded for a fantastic initiative and vision for the game of football and for being caring corporate entities.The NFA has so far worked out a plan until 2008 that aims to put football back on track, while they have also set themselves goals to qualify for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.Now, with the funding in place, it is time for them to show that they are no fluke as NFA president Damaseb accused the media for constant negative reporting at the signing ceremony on Tuesday.Damaseb said it was time to deliver now and promised that there will be no excuses from all the football stakeholders in making Namibia a winning one on the field of play.It is no mean feat to bring about rapid change to the game of football that has since left many Namibians hopeless about its future.The onus is now upon Damaseb and his men to restore the confidence that the nation has lost in the game .Firstly, I think a competent, energetic and highly professional individual will be needed to drive forward the activities and all the initiatives of the NFA, unlike the current situation.The association needs a vibrant and effective administration which should strive for professionalism, while a sense of achieving set objectives should serve as an overriding factor.Football will move into the right direction if the administration has its priorities right, while at the same time executing their responsibilities diligently and keeping their promises.The current administration and the executive should now realise that the nation is looking at them to make football live again in this country.With the consortium having some top quality professionals in their ranks, it will possibly also be advisable for them to lend a helping wherever possible because their knowledge is simply just invaluable for the game on administrative level.On the field of play, Seth Boois has the daunting task of bringing back the winning culture of the national teams, obviously with the assistance of the respective coaches involved.With the money now available for the national teams, the nation expects well prepared national teams which can compete and win matches.The various national teams have been losing for far too long now and authorities should at least work towards bringing some elation upon the ardent football lovers.** The other aspect I wanted to highlight was the willingness of the Government to put down its foot, in an event where there is maladministration in a sport code.Minister of Sport John Mutorwa made it clear at the sponsorship ceremony that Government will not hesitate to interfere if there are wrongs in a code.Football, which has already burnt its fingers after they failed to meet the deadline to submit its audited financial reports with the Namibia Sport Commission, should take heed.I should believe that the interference mentioned by the Minister does not necessarily mean the day to day running of a specific code, but that Government will step in and offer assistants, advice and possibly devise a way forward in case a code is embroiled in some difficulties.It is against this background that the NFA should stay clear of being called in by the Minister as it happened recently and being told how to go about in running their affairs.The NFA should instead show the Government that they have the right administrators in place, can do a splendid job football wise and can account for every cent of the public money.The ball is now in the court of Damaseb and his men.Can you deliver now please!Namibians, after five years should be able to say that they are proud of their football in the country, proud to have competent leaders in the game and proud to have excellent players who does duty for their country with distinction.Firstly, the NFA should be thankful that they are undoubtedly the biggest beneficiaries of funding in sport in the country at the moment.The consortium of companies, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), First National Bank Namibia (FNB) and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) once again demonstrated, in bold, their commitment to the development of the game in the country.They will be around for the next five years and will part ways with N$8 million each year to make football the winner in many respects.The three companies, especially MTC, which will carry the bulk of the sponsorship as it has a 50 per cent stake, needs to be applauded for a fantastic initiative and vision for the game of football and for being caring corporate entities.The NFA has so far worked out a plan until 2008 that aims to put football back on track, while they have also set themselves goals to qualify for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.Now, with the funding in place, it is time for them to show that they are no fluke as NFA president Damaseb accused the media for constant negative reporting at the signing ceremony on Tuesday.Damaseb said it was time to deliver now and promised that there will be no excuses from all the football stakeholders in making Namibia a winning one on the field of play.It is no mean feat to bring about rapid change to the game of football that has since left many Namibians hopeless about its future.The onus is now upon Damaseb and his men to restore the confidence that the nation has lost in the game .Firstly, I think a competent, energetic and highly professional individual will be needed to drive forward the activities and all the initiatives of the NFA, unlike the current situation.The association needs a vibrant and effective administration which should strive for professionalism, while a sense of achieving set objectives should serve as an overriding factor.Football will move into the right direction if the administration has its priorities right, while at the same time executing their responsibilities diligently and keeping their promises.The current administration and the executive should now realise that the nation is looking at them to make football live again in this country.With the consortium having some top quality professionals in their ranks, it will possibly also be advisable for them to lend a helping wherever possible because their knowledge is simply just invaluable for the game on administrative level.On the field of play, Seth Boois has the daunting task of bringing back the winning culture of the national teams, obviously with the assistance of the respective coaches involved.With the money now available for the national teams, the nation expects well prepared national teams which can compete and win matches.The various national teams have been losing for far too long now and authorities should at least work towards bringing some elation upon the ardent football lovers.** The other aspect I wanted to highlight was the willingness of the Government to put down its foot, in an event where there is maladministration in a sport code.Minister of Sport John Mutorwa made it clear at the sponsorship ceremony that Government will not hesitate to interfere if there are wrongs in a co
de.Football, which has already burnt its fingers after they failed to meet the deadline to submit its audited financial reports with the Namibia Sport Commission, should take heed.I should believe that the interference mentioned by the Minister does not necessarily mean the day to day running of a specific code, but that Government will step in and offer assistants, advice and possibly devise a way forward in case a code is embroiled in some difficulties.It is against this background that the NFA should stay clear of being called in by the Minister as it happened recently and being told how to go about in running their affairs.The NFA should instead show the Government that they have the right administrators in place, can do a splendid job football wise and can account for every cent of the public money.The ball is now in the court of Damaseb and his men.Can you deliver now please!