ATHLETICS Namibia is sinking deeper into trouble after a top official from the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) made a big mistake by holding a back-door meeting, which was highly unprofessional.
Yesterday, Minister of Sport John Mutorwa angrily pronounced himself on the total disregard shown by the IAAF official, Leonard Chinue, who apparently came to talk to administrators of the embattled code that has seen a lot of infighting, and virtually no results on the athletics tracks, for at least the past two years. Like the Minister, I am also very surprised that a top official, who should know better when it comes to following the correct channels on consultations or discussions on a specific subject matter, should sideline the national authorities.Chinue, who is the IAAF Africa Area representative, apparently came to see stakeholders in the sport after a no-confidence vote in AN president Alpha Kangueehi was adopted in August, but he chose to speak only to certain individuals.I would assume that it is customary for officials serving on world sports governing bodies to consult the Minister of Sport and the Namibia Sports Commission before taking a position on a national matter.Chinue in the first place failed to notify the Minister of Sport of his arrival, and he also did not make it clear why he was in the country.Although he was corresponding with Mutorwa on the various problems that have plagued Namibian athletics in recent times, he quietly arrived in the country and announced that he still recognised Kangueehi as the president of AN.I am not going to choose sides, but the principle remains that Chinue did not follow official channels, while Kangueehi did also not make any effort to explain the procedure of his ousting or at least get into contact with the higher authorities on the presence of Chinue.Mutorwa yesterday maintained that the NSC was still in charge of athletics, not Kangueehi, as the NSC had been mandated by the regional affiliates who adopted a vote of no confidence in the athletics leadership.Kangueehi earlier stated that he had no respect for the NSC and claimed that he was still the leader of the code, and that also indirectly showed his lack of respect for the Minister of Sport.This ultimately boils down to complete arrogance and disrespect from Kangueehi towards Government, which is the biggest financial contributor to the code.At the same time, Kangueehi’s actions have severely affected the credibility of the sport, while many administrators and athletes will possibly lose faith in him.It is totally unacceptable for Kangueehi to try to run the affairs of AN to his own advantage, let alone into the ground.In the first place, Kangueehi knows that AN is a public institution and it is only a shame that he has tried to canvass support from Chinue, who probably knows little about the squabbles within AN.Kangueehi has failed dismally by asking this man to come to Namibia, forgetting that the country also has laws that need to be obeyed, before running to the international bodies for intervention.Although the IAAF is the world controlling body of the sport, there is no way that the domestic laws can be flouted at will by certain individuals to serve their own interests.With all due respect, Kangueehi possibly did not realise how damaging his actions are to the code and, most importantly, to his own reputation.Pride is another aspect that also seemed to have crept in, but that should not be the character of a true leader.Leaders should have the ability to admit their wrongs and should strive to correct their mistakes.Accountability in administering a public office and a sense of respect towards others are two key aspects that Kangueehi seems to have paid little attention to.We just hope that a meeting between Kangueehi, Mutorwa and Chinue, which is expected later this month, will clear the air and allow the code to get back on track.Like the Minister, I am also very surprised that a top official, who should know better when it comes to following the correct channels on consultations or discussions on a specific subject matter, should sideline the national authorities.Chinue, who is the IAAF Africa Area representative, apparently came to see stakeholders in the sport after a no-confidence vote in AN president Alpha Kangueehi was adopted in August, but he chose to speak only to certain individuals.I would assume that it is customary for officials serving on world sports governing bodies to consult the Minister of Sport and the Namibia Sports Commission before taking a position on a national matter.Chinue in the first place failed to notify the Minister of Sport of his arrival, and he also did not make it clear why he was in the country.Although he was corresponding with Mutorwa on the various problems that have plagued Namibian athletics in recent times, he quietly arrived in the country and announced that he still recognised Kangueehi as the president of AN.I am not going to choose sides, but the principle remains that Chinue did not follow official channels, while Kangueehi did also not make any effort to explain the procedure of his ousting or at least get into contact with the higher authorities on the presence of Chinue.Mutorwa yesterday maintained that the NSC was still in charge of athletics, not Kangueehi, as the NSC had been mandated by the regional affiliates who adopted a vote of no confidence in the athletics leadership.Kangueehi earlier stated that he had no respect for the NSC and claimed that he was still the leader of the code, and that also indirectly showed his lack of respect for the Minister of Sport.This ultimately boils down to complete arrogance and disrespect from Kangueehi towards Government, which is the biggest financial contributor to the code.At the same time, Kangueehi’s actions have severely affected the credibility of the sport, while many administrators and athletes will possibly lose faith in him.It is totally unacceptable for Kangueehi to try to run the affairs of AN to his own advantage, let alone into the ground.In the first place, Kangueehi knows that AN is a public institution and it is only a shame that he has tried to canvass support from Chinue, who probably knows little about the squabbles within AN.Kangueehi has failed dismally by asking this man to come to Namibia, forgetting that the country also has laws that need to be obeyed, before running to the international bodies for intervention.Although the IAAF is the world controlling body of the sport, there is no way that the domestic laws can be flouted at will by certain individuals to serve their own interests.With all due respect, Kangueehi possibly did not realise how damaging his actions are to the code and, most importantly, to his own reputation.Pride is another aspect that also seemed to have crept in, but that should not be the character of a true leader.Leaders should have the ability to admit their wrongs and should strive to correct their mistakes.Accountability in administering a public office and a sense of respect towards others are two key aspects that Kangueehi seems to have paid little attention to.We just hope that a meeting between Kangueehi, Mutorwa and Chinue, which is expected later this month, will clear the air and allow the code to get back on track.
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