The government says it will not change existing trading hours for sport bars despite football lovers calling for an extension during the Fifa World Cup set for June.
World Cup football matches are scheduled to kick off at 03h00 and 04h00, with most sport bars operating under licences that run from 09h00 until 02h00, forcing the viewers to leave before games end.
“It is especially in rural areas where a single bar may be the only place people gather to watch games,” Kavango East football spectator Athanasius Maghumbo says, adding that the decision to maintain current limits may frustrate viewers.
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy chief economist John Chombo says all existing trading hours remain in effect and will not change.
“The ministry of industry wishes to inform you that there will be no changes to liquor trading hours during the upcoming World Cup season, all existing trading hours remain in effect,” Chombo told The Namibian yesterday.
He said should there be a need to review or amend these provisions, “the public will be duly informed through the appropriate official communication channels”.
‘SOCIAL HEALING’
Maghumbo says the government should consider making an exception during the tournament’s decisive stages.
“Just starting from the last 16, they can give us an exception,” he says.
He says for many supporters, watching football is more than entertainment.
“It is relaxation and social healing. When you watch football, stress levels go down,” he says.
The spectator says the issue is already affecting fans when matches run late.
“Even now, at 22h00 when Manchester City is playing, people are not happy when they go home,” he says.
He says this is particularly difficult at villages where entertainment options are limited.
Bomba Shigwedha, owner of Studio Pub and Grill in Windhoek, says he understands the commercial side of the issue as businesses are governed by the law and not every operator is looking for extended hours.
“As much as I want to make money, we’re all governed by laws,” he says.
Shigwedha says businesses are more likely to feel the effects of betting outlets and venues where patrons specifically gather to follow matches and betting outcomes.
“As a country, we have local things that happen, and things happening outside, which shouldn’t really affect how we do things day to day,” he says.
Shigwedha says his establishment is not primarily a sport bar, although customers can still watch matches there.
JSB sport betting spokesperson John Zulch says he is aware of the excitement surrounding the upcoming World Cup and the potential for extended viewing hours at licensed venues across Namibia.
“At this stage, we are closely monitoring the official communications from the ministry regarding specific regulations and procedural requirements for late-night gatherings,” he says.
“Our operational team will evaluate how we can best enhance the fan experience at JSB branches,” he adds.
CastleBet spokesperson Tobias Naule says trading hours do not directly affect the company because it operates online. He says the company hopes customers will still be able to enjoy the tournament through different channels while abiding by the law.
“We hope our players will be able to enjoy the tournament in a sport bar, at home or online from their phones or laptops, while complying with local regulations,” Naule said.
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