From the Sidelines

THE aspiration of Namibian premiership clubs to become semi-professional dates back many years.

Some clubs have acquired that status, but to date, it is disappointing that the country’s oldest and biggest clubs have not gained that status yet. Civics, Blue Waters, Ramblers and Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) are currently the only clubs who have set up professional structures and most importantly, have realised the need to compensate their players for the results they bring in to make their teams worth existing.One aspect that these semi-professional clubs need to concentrate on is to put in place development structures to give the youngsters an opportunity to play within their ranks.One of the country’s most distinguished clubs, Tigers, yesterday took a step in the direction of becoming semi-professional after being around for close to 80 years.It is a pity that this idea was not initiated much earlier, but it is a commendable effort from the ones in charge.The first step to achieve that objective for Tigers started with a fundraising dinner at a local hotel last night, but for sure, the money raised through that initiative does not guarantee them becoming a semi-professional club overnight.There are a lot of factors involved in bringing about a professional setup in a team.Traditional Namibian teams such as Black Africa, Orlando Pirates and African Stars have all tried in vain to bring about semi-professionalism or even professionalism for years.Black Africa has in fact been run on business principles in recent years, but has not actually reached a stage where players are rewarded for their efforts, while most of the administrators are serving as volunteers.That also goes for several other teams in the premiership.The basic problem that lacks in bringing these clubs to a professional or semi-professional level is money.The teams are even struggling to get a fixed sponsor that can cover their travel, meals and accommodation costs as they fulfil their league obligations.Generally, there is not a lot of money being invested in Namibian sport.Sport in this country is generally not regarded as a priority, especially by Government if one looks at the allocation of funds every financial year.Other countries commit millions of dollars to develop sport talent and nurture them in order to have competitive teams on elite level.They have special high-performances centres to genuinely develop their future sportsmen and women.In Namibia’s case, money is rather spent on international participation, but the development of the various codes on the ground is largely neglected.Namibia’s record in any sport on the international level is not that impressive and it has in fact worsened over the years.No country can produce good international results if there is no strong foundation (development) where money is invested.Now, semi-professionalism in football will also require a lot of money from especially the private sector, which is ultimately the only source on which clubs can rely.Government cannot sponsor clubs because it has a national responsibility of taking care of all codes, for which the money is not enough in any case.Teams like Tigers and Black Africa have long struggled to turn the idle sports grounds they acquired in the 1980s into stadiums.All due to a lack of money.These clubs, which have a large support base, need to campaign vigorously for funding to develop their sports grounds, set up development structures and look at how best they can run them.A high level of professionalism on management level is key to a club in becoming semi-professional.Players also need to know what is required from them and should know the importance of playing football.Most of the clubs have executive committees, but it is evident that most of these committees are idle.Even worse is that they lack innovation and some members are basically deadwood.Business people want to see concrete, workable plans and success of the team before they commit themselves to any venture.Young, vibrant and dynamic people are needed to run the affairs of any team that wants to have a professional setup.Sound business principles, like in any business, will play a vital role.All I can say to the clubs is that the money is out there.It all depends on the people in charge of the clubs, who should seriously organise themselves for the betterment of their teams.The Namibia Football Association unfortunately cannot do it for them.Civics, Blue Waters, Ramblers and Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) are currently the only clubs who have set up professional structures and most importantly, have realised the need to compensate their players for the results they bring in to make their teams worth existing.One aspect that these semi-professional clubs need to concentrate on is to put in place development structures to give the youngsters an opportunity to play within their ranks.One of the country’s most distinguished clubs, Tigers, yesterday took a step in the direction of becoming semi-professional after being around for close to 80 years.It is a pity that this idea was not initiated much earlier, but it is a commendable effort from the ones in charge.The first step to achieve that objective for Tigers started with a fundraising dinner at a local hotel last night, but for sure, the money raised through that initiative does not guarantee them becoming a semi-professional club overnight.There are a lot of factors involved in bringing about a professional setup in a team.Traditional Namibian teams such as Black Africa, Orlando Pirates and African Stars have all tried in vain to bring about semi-professionalism or even professionalism for years.Black Africa has in fact been run on business principles in recent years, but has not actually reached a stage where players are rewarded for their efforts, while most of the administrators are serving as volunteers.That also goes for several other teams in the premiership.The basic problem that lacks in bringing these clubs to a professional or semi-professional level is money.The teams are even struggling to get a fixed sponsor that can cover their travel, meals and accommodation costs as they fulfil their league obligations.Generally, there is not a lot of money being invested in Namibian sport.Sport in this country is generally not regarded as a priority, especially by Government if one looks at the allocation of funds every financial year.Other countries commit millions of dollars to develop sport talent and nurture them in order to have competitive teams on elite level.They have special high-performances centres to genuinely develop their future sportsmen and women.In Namibia’s case, money is rather spent on international participation, but the development of the various codes on the ground is largely neglected.Namibia’s record in any sport on the international level is not that impressive and it has in fact worsened over the years.No country can produce good international results if there is no strong foundation (development) where money is invested.Now, semi-professionalism in football will also require a lot of money from especially the private sector, which is ultimately the only source on which clubs can rely.Government cannot sponsor clubs because it has a national responsibility of taking care of all codes, for which the money is not enough in any case.Teams like Tigers and Black Africa have long struggled to turn the idle sports grounds they acquired in the 1980s into stadiums.All due to a lack of money.These clubs, which have a large support base, need to campaign vigorously for funding to develop their sports grounds, set up development structures and look at how best they can run them.A high level of professionalism on management level is key to a club in becoming semi-professional.Players also need to know what is required from them and should know the importance of playing football.Most of the clubs have executive committees, but it is evident that most of these committees are idle.Even worse is that they lack innovation and some members are basically deadwood.Business people want to see concrete, workable plans and success of the team before they commit themselves to any venture.Young, vibrant and dynamic people are needed to run the affairs of any team that wants to have a professional setup.Sound business principles, like in any business, will play a vital role.All I can say to the clubs is that the money is out there.It all depends on the people in charge of the clubs, who should seriously organise themselves for the betterment of their teams.The Namibia Football Association unfortunately cannot do it for them.