From the Sidelines with Corry Ihuhua

IT is really shocking, the way in which the Namibia Football Association runs its affairs, or should that rather be the affairs of a football loving nation.

The integrity of this association has deteriorated over the years and recently managed to sink even lower. Administrators this week showed their inability to keep to their word.The NFA has once again lied to the nation about the appointment of the technical director.I have lost count of how many times these promises have made, broken and made again.Earlier, I suggested that the NFA should take its time in announcing the new man for this important job, but the NFA went on to declare that the announcement would be made at the end of last month.This date came and went.Nothing happened.And to make it even worse, its spokesperson Beau Kauta then promised that it would be made on Wednesday this week.Now, one wonders if there are any consultations going with these people regarding such crucial issues.Kauta is on record as saying that the new man had been identified and would have been unveiled on Wednesday.This did not materialise.The NFA secretariat issued a press statement late on Wednesday, saying that they were still finalising the “personal terms” of the technical director.This contradicted what their spokesperson had said to the media.This is really taking people for a ride and it is totally unacceptable.Keep in mind that it is not only football lovers who want to hear this news, but Fifa is also waiting on this.The NFA administrators have once again proved that they are not genuine in their dealings and thus should be declared incompetent.By the way, how long can it take to draw up a work contract, even if it does include “personal terms”? The NFA has had at least a month to finalise this, as they had apparently identified the person already.Strangely, the two candidates (Ronnie Kanalelo and Seth Boois) who are short-listed for the job have not had any correspondence with the NFA authorities since their interviews were concluded earlier this year.With whom is the NFA negotiating the personal terms then? Is there a third person in the picture? It is true that it would not be ethical to announce the name of the person while talks are going on to sort out his working responsibilities.But why is it taking so long? The technical director will be paid from the coffers of Fifa and there is no reason for the NFA to drag its feet on the issue as if it would be paying the man itself.Football president Petrus Damaseb and his executive members have to put their foot down and ensure that their administrators get things done.The key figure who should take responsibility here is the NFA secretary general, Alpheus Gaweseb.Gaweseb, as the man in the middle between his executive and his management team, should have been frank with the nation on this issue from the outset.There was no reason for people like vice president Salomo Naukushu, administrator Barry Rukoro and Kauta to go public on the appointment and announcement of the technical director.Gaweseb should be in charge and take the bull by its horns when it comes to such pressing issues.He has failed to do this, and this is reflected in the way he treats the media.Gaweseb and an appointed committee are handling this job – the work contract – but he has never come out and explained in detail the technicalities that are involved or what the time frame would be for this man to take office.In its press statement on Wednesday, the NFA also had the audacity to say that it “wishes to make it clear that no amount of pressure through negative reporting in the media will make it reveal information about the appointment of the technical director”.Say what? To be realistic, the NFA has actually put pressure on itself by dodging the issue so many times.The media have been reporting on the promises that were made and broken and there was nothing negative about that.The bottom line is that the NFA administrators should not put themselves in situations that they cannot handle.It serves no purpose to say this today and tomorrow have a different story.Once again, I appeal to the administrators to take their time and make sure that next time we will hear the name of the appointed person.It is obvious that the media will time and again enquire about the finalisation of this “personal terms” issue, but the NFA should make sure that their decision is collective.They should speak with one voice, as many voice often confuse matters.Next time, the nation wants a definite answer and further excuses on the issue will not be in the best interest of the NFA.They will really let themselves down.The nation has been patient and by now, their patience has run dry.So NFA, take your time and come up with a better response.Administrators this week showed their inability to keep to their word.The NFA has once again lied to the nation about the appointment of the technical director.I have lost count of how many times these promises have made, broken and made again.Earlier, I suggested that the NFA should take its time in announcing the new man for this important job, but the NFA went on to declare that the announcement would be made at the end of last month.This date came and went.Nothing happened.And to make it even worse, its spokesperson Beau Kauta then promised that it would be made on Wednesday this week.Now, one wonders if there are any consultations going with these people regarding such crucial issues.Kauta is on record as saying that the new man had been identified and would have been unveiled on Wednesday.This did not materialise.The NFA secretariat issued a press statement late on Wednesday, saying that they were still finalising the “personal terms” of the technical director.This contradicted what their spokesperson had said to the media.This is really taking people for a ride and it is totally unacceptable.Keep in mind that it is not only football lovers who want to hear this news, but Fifa is also waiting on this.The NFA administrators have once again proved that they are not genuine in their dealings and thus should be declared incompetent.By the way, how long can it take to draw up a work contract, even if it does include “personal terms”? The NFA has had at least a month to finalise this, as they had apparently identified the person already.Strangely, the two candidates (Ronnie Kanalelo and Seth Boois) who are short-listed for the job have not had any correspondence with the NFA authorities since their interviews were concluded earlier this year.With whom is the NFA negotiating the personal terms then? Is there a third person in the picture? It is true that it would not be ethical to announce the name of the person while talks are going on to sort out his working responsibilities.But why is it taking so long? The technical director will be paid from the coffers of Fifa and there is no reason for the NFA to drag its feet on the issue as if it would be paying the man itself.Football president Petrus Damaseb and his executive members have to put their foot down and ensure that their administrators get things done.The key figure who should take responsibility here is the NFA secretary general, Alpheus Gaweseb.Gaweseb, as the man in the middle between his executive and his management team, should have been frank with the nation on this issue from the outset.There was no reason for people like vice president Salomo Naukushu, administrator Barry Rukoro and Kauta to go public on the appointment and announcement of the technical director.Gaweseb should be in charge and take the bull by its horns when it comes to such pressing issues.He has failed to do this, and this is reflected in the way he treats the media.Gaweseb and an appointed committee are handling this job – the work contract – but he has never come out and explained in detail the technicalities that are involved or what the time frame would be for this man to take office.In its press statement on Wednesday, the NFA also had the audacity to say that it “wishes to make it clear that no amount of pressure through negative reporting in the media will make it reveal information about the appointment of the technical director”.Say what? To be realistic, the NFA has actually put pressure on itself by dodging the issue so many times.The media have been reporting on the promises that were made and broken and there was nothing negative about that.The bottom line is that the NFA administrators should not put themselves in situations that they cannot handle.It serves no purpose to say this today and tomorrow have a different story.Once again, I appeal to the administrators to take their time and make sure that next time we will hear the name of the appointed person.It is obvious that the media will time and again enquire about the finalisation of this “personal terms” issue, but the NFA should make sure that their decision is collective.They should speak with one voice, as many voice often confuse matters.Next time, the nation wants a definite answer and further excuses on the issue will not be in the best interest of the NFA.They will really let themselves down.The nation has been patient and by now, their patience has run dry.So NFA, take your time and come up with a better response.