Namibian in need of a well structured sport fund

Just like players invest their heart and soul in football and fans put their passion and time on the line to support their favourite teams, so too should corporate Namibia be encouraged to plough back into football.

Sport is arguably the most profitable industry globally, with an enormous following. Leading sporting nations are reaping the benefits of strong investments by businesses and the government, in what used to be fleeting pastimes.

They also benefit from ticket sales, advertising, sponsorship, merchandise and television rights – a concept which Namibia is yet to grasp.

This sees these nations consistently enjoying tremendous success at global level, something Namibia can only dream about.

A sport fund could be Namibia’s answer to realising its sporting ambitions. Namibia Premier Football League director Patrick Vries believes it can be an advantage for football in the country.

The government, specifically outgoing sport minister Agnes Tjongarero, is under heavy scrutiny because Namibia’s national football teams are forced to host international home matches abroad, due to substandard stadia.

“A sport fund can bring improved sports facilities because there will be money to improve and upgrade our venues,” Vries says.

“Our sportsmen and women will also be funded, which could only lead to improved performances because of the improved incentives.

“With regard to our football, a sport fund will ensure that we start the professional league that everyone is anticipating.

“Our players will benefit greatly because they will receive a sustainable income. The non-payment of players will be something of the past as well,” Vries notes.

Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya believes a sport fund will ease the burden on the government in terms of funding national teams.

“There is a need for a sport fund through corporate Namibia. We know with fiscus alone, it will take time to develop sport infrastructure and empower the youth, especially those from less privileged communities,” Mwiya says.

“Currently, national team funding is a challenge, to the extent that less privileged talented athletes find it difficult to raise funds when engaging in international events. However, a sport fund will enable those athletes to enjoy the luxury of representing their country.”

Namibia cannot expect to compete and win against nations that boast superior infrastructure and modern training programmes.

This is where businesses in Namibia, that enjoy much support from citizens, can fulfil their corporate responsibility by investing in a sport fund, which should be made compulsory.

“Elsewhere, where the people are playing professional leagues, companies invest in football because historically, strong and stable returns have perpetuated the appetite for this type of investment, adding valuable diversification to portfolios,” Vries says.

“The dream of a professional league can only become a reality if sufficient funds are channelled into the local game and our football clubs will be able to employ players, just like at any other regular employee,” he says.

“The players are paid well and will be required to pay income tax automatically, which can also benefit the country in the long run.”

Vries believes the improved investment would translate into tangible windfalls for stakeholders.

“Our lower levels of football, the football academies, will receive the recognition that they so much deserve through what we term, prescribed training compensation fees for developing our future stars, which would enable them to be more sustainable,” Vries notes.

“It is also called a solidarity payment, which is paid out to the academies that develop players from the different age groups they have started. Players who ply their talents in the professional league will be required to pay tax, which in return, will be ploughed back to the sport fund,” Vries adds.

“Another way to go about it is for businesses to jointly co-own a specific club. The investor would be unlikely to have outright ownership of a soccer club, but there are many other ways to financially invest in a team they love.”