Martin Shipanga says he will not be vying for NFA top job

THE man widely tipped to succeed Petrus Damaseb as President of the Namibia Football Association has said he has no intention of vying for the post.

Damaseb was appointed permanent Judge of the High Court last week and is expected to relinquish his NFA post soon. Martin Shipanga, who is the Managing Director of the Commercial Bank of Namibia, said in a statement issued by the bank’s communication department that although he was an “avid football enthusiast, he is not not connected to the NFA in a professional or personal capacity”.”Martin does not stand for the position of head of the soccer body, and does not aspire to fill any position at the body within the near future,” it said.Another possible top contender for the title is Albertus Aochamub, who is the Strategic Marketing and Communications Manager at First National Bank.Aochamub has not made his plans known as far as the NFA top job is concerned.Blue Waters Managing Director Hendrik Dawids, another possible contender, could not be reached for comment this week.Dawids, a popular figure in football, especially at the coast, transformed the coastal premiership side into a winning team and this year took the league title with their Zimbabwean coach Shepherd Murape.The current vice president of the NFA, John Muinjo, yesterday indicated that he wanted to play his cards close to his chest regarding the succession to Damaseb.He told The Namibian Sport that he will only make a statement if he decides to stand after the NFA Executive meeting, which is planned for Otjiwarongo tomorrow.”I will only decide after I have familiarised myself with the situation which I believe will be clear at the meeting on Saturday,” he said.The constitution of the NFA guarantees the vice president as automatic successor if the president steps down.Damaseb can agree to stay on until a new president is elected and to whom he should hand-over all the powers vested in the presidency.A request for an Extraordinary Congress needs 75 per cent of the votes of the Congress to effect that resolution.If Damaseb wishes for a resignation with immediate effect, the congress in August will be left with no option but to appoint an acting president.Omusati Football League’s Chairman, Kolbinian Amutenya said Shipanga could have been the ideal candidate for the position, as he has done a great job at the Windhoek City Council.Amutenya yesterday said that apart from Shipanga, whoever takes over the position should have good leadership skills, a sense for human resources management and development.Former Karas Region Vice-Chairperson Joseph Christiaan did not see Muinjo as the obvious choice.”He lacks consistency and and always wants to please everybody.We need someone who can take a stand on issues, whether the decision is popular or not,” he said.Erongo’s’ Theo Rohm and Omaheke’s Fessie Marenga could not be reached for their comments on the issue.Martin Shipanga, who is the Managing Director of the Commercial Bank of Namibia, said in a statement issued by the bank’s communication department that although he was an “avid football enthusiast, he is not not connected to the NFA in a professional or personal capacity”.”Martin does not stand for the position of head of the soccer body, and does not aspire to fill any position at the body within the near future,” it said.Another possible top contender for the title is Albertus Aochamub, who is the Strategic Marketing and Communications Manager at First National Bank.Aochamub has not made his plans known as far as the NFA top job is concerned.Blue Waters Managing Director Hendrik Dawids, another possible contender, could not be reached for comment this week.Dawids, a popular figure in football, especially at the coast, transformed the coastal premiership side into a winning team and this year took the league title with their Zimbabwean coach Shepherd Murape.The current vice president of the NFA, John Muinjo, yesterday indicated that he wanted to play his cards close to his chest regarding the succession to Damaseb.He told The Namibian Sport that he will only make a statement if he decides to stand after the NFA Executive meeting, which is planned for Otjiwarongo tomorrow.”I will only decide after I have familiarised myself with the situation which I believe will be clear at the meeting on Saturday,” he said.The constitution of the NFA guarantees the vice president as automatic successor if the president steps down.Damaseb can agree to stay on until a new president is elected and to whom he should hand-over all the powers vested in the presidency.A request for an Extraordinary Congress needs 75 per cent of the votes of the Congress to effect that resolution.If Damaseb wishes for a resignation with immediate effect, the congress in August will be left with no option but to appoint an acting president.Omusati Football League’s Chairman, Kolbinian Amutenya said Shipanga could have been the ideal candidate for the position, as he has done a great job at the Windhoek City Council.Amutenya yesterday said that apart from Shipanga, whoever takes over the position should have good leadership skills, a sense for human resources management and development.Former Karas Region Vice-Chairperson Joseph Christiaan did not see Muinjo as the obvious choice.”He lacks consistency and and always wants to please everybody.We need someone who can take a stand on issues, whether the decision is popular or not,” he said.Erongo’s’ Theo Rohm and Omaheke’s Fessie Marenga could not be reached for their comments on the issue.