Mutorwa still awaits IAAF response on Namibian athletics leadership crisis

WINDHOEK – The Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, John Mutorwa, is still awaiting a response to his call for a meeting with officials of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and its representative in Africa, Leonard Chuene.

The request for a meeting stems from a visit by Chuene on October 10, after which he declared that Alpha Kangueehi was still recognised as the President of Athletics Namibia despite having been ousted by AN members in August 2006. Following the public announcement by Chuene, Mutorwa called a press conference at which he reiterated Government’s stance on athletics, which supported the special congress decision that removed Kangueehi.He called for an urgent meeting with the IAAF and Chuene before the end of this month.Chuene was in the country at the invitation of Kangueehi and totally sidestepped the Ministry of Sport and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC).On inquiry from Nampa yesterday, Deputy Sport Minister Pohamba Shifeta said there was a misunderstanding with Chuene which needed to be discussed and clarified.Shifeta said all that his Ministry wanted was for AN to hold elections to put in place a proper leadership with a clear vision.”We have no business in running athletics.All we want is athletics to be run on the basis of professionalism,” said Shifeta.He said Government wanted to protect the interests of athletes and the public.”It is our mandate not to shy away from those responsibilities,” the Deputy Minister said.The NSC has been tasked with overseeing the affairs of AN and organising the AN Elective Congress billed for November 25.NampaFollowing the public announcement by Chuene, Mutorwa called a press conference at which he reiterated Government’s stance on athletics, which supported the special congress decision that removed Kangueehi.He called for an urgent meeting with the IAAF and Chuene before the end of this month.Chuene was in the country at the invitation of Kangueehi and totally sidestepped the Ministry of Sport and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC).On inquiry from Nampa yesterday, Deputy Sport Minister Pohamba Shifeta said there was a misunderstanding with Chuene which needed to be discussed and clarified.Shifeta said all that his Ministry wanted was for AN to hold elections to put in place a proper leadership with a clear vision.”We have no business in running athletics.All we want is athletics to be run on the basis of professionalism,” said Shifeta.He said Government wanted to protect the interests of athletes and the public.”It is our mandate not to shy away from those responsibilities,” the Deputy Minister said.The NSC has been tasked with overseeing the affairs of AN and organising the AN Elective Congress billed for November 25.Nampa