NFA blows N$3m

THE Namibia Football Association (NFA) is gradually sinking into more trouble after it emerged that they reportedly squandered more than N$3 million during the past two years.

The money, which is apparently unaccounted for, is part of the annual contribution by Fifa to all its affiliates for the development of the game. In 2004, Fifa provided the NFA with a sum of US$250 000 (about N$1,7 million) and donated the same amount in 2005.This was earmarked for the appointment of more staff at Soccer House for the administration of the game in the country.The appointments due to be made were those of a financial manager, a marketing head and a competitions manager.No such appointments have yet been made.A Fifa delegation visiting Namibia recently uncovered several irregularities within the association, putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the NFA’s Chief Administration Officer, Alpheus Gaweseb.The Fifa delegation highlighted issues ranging from poor financial planning in allocating funds to coaching courses and related activities, insufficient human capacity in the Technical Department and a lack of communication between the secretariat and the stakeholders in the game.The delegation, led by Ashford Mamelodi, was primarily unhappy that the NFA did not implement its long-term plan, due for completion in 2004.The Association is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis after an interim committee decided to take over the executive affairs of the body.A total of 12 affiliates met at the weekend and elected an interim committee in accordance with the NFA Constitution which, they said, would be in charge until the Ordinary Congress is called to elect a new leadership.The interim committee is headed by Blue Waters Football Club owner Hendrick Dawids, while the chairperson of the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL), Anton van Wyk, is the vice chairperson.Van Wyk told The Namibian Sport yesterday that an interim committee was place due to address burning issues ignored by the executive committee.In a statement, NFA spokesperson Beau Kauta dismissed the interim committee and insisted that Muinjo and his committee were still in charge.But van Wyk said that apart from the NPL, no affiliates had yet received start-up capital.The season was drawing to a close but the NPL had already ended.Teams use the money to pay travel and accommodation expenses as they fulfil their league obligations.He said the affiliates were also concerned about the election of the new President of the Association, saying that time was running out and Muinjo’s executive did not take into account the urgency of that.The Ordinary Congress was due to take place in July like last year, but nominations for the position were supposed to be made two months ahead, which the NFA should have announced in April.He said the issue of the 2006 Fifa World Cup tickets was also not satisfactorily explained, after the football authorities told the media that the NFA did not receive tickets this year.Van Wyk said the interim committee was also embarrassed by the announcement of the new Brave Warriors’ coach through the media, while no official communication was made to them as members.He said they were also unhappy with the dismantling of the Organising and Competitions Committee (OCC).The OCC was previously centralised and gave control to a certain group of people when organising major competitions around the country.It was apparently decentralised to curb the pocketing of gate-takings by a few individuals.Meanwhile, Sports Minister John Mutorwa this week urged the football officials to find solutions to the current leadership crisis at Soccer House.Muinjo and Secretary-General Gaweseb could not be reached for comment as they are attending a Fifa Congress in Germany.They are due to return to Namibia on Saturday.In 2004, Fifa provided the NFA with a sum of US$250 000 (about N$1,7 million) and donated the same amount in 2005.This was earmarked for the appointment of more staff at Soccer House for the administration of the game in the country. The appointments due to be made were those of a financial manager, a marketing head and a competitions manager.No such appointments have yet been made.A Fifa delegation visiting Namibia recently uncovered several irregularities within the association, putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the NFA’s Chief Administration Officer, Alpheus Gaweseb.The Fifa delegation highlighted issues ranging from poor financial planning in allocating funds to coaching courses and related activities, insufficient human capacity in the Technical Department and a lack of communication between the secretariat and the stakeholders in the game.The delegation, led by Ashford Mamelodi, was primarily unhappy that the NFA did not implement its long-term plan, due for completion in 2004.The Association is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis after an interim committee decided to take over the executive affairs of the body.A total of 12 affiliates met at the weekend and elected an interim committee in accordance with the NFA Constitution which, they said, would be in charge until the Ordinary Congress is called to elect a new leadership.The interim committee is headed by Blue Waters Football Club owner Hendrick Dawids, while the chairperson of the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL), Anton van Wyk, is the vice chairperson.Van Wyk told The Namibian Sport yesterday that an interim committee was place due to address burning issues ignored by the executive committee.In a statement, NFA spokesperson Beau Kauta dismissed the interim committee and insisted that Muinjo and his committee were still in charge.But van Wyk said that apart from the NPL, no affiliates had yet received start-up capital.The season was drawing to a close but the NPL had already ended.Teams use the money to pay travel and accommodation expenses as they fulfil their league obligations.He said the affiliates were also concerned about the election of the new President of the Association, saying that time was running out and Muinjo’s executive did not take into account the urgency of that.The Ordinary Congress was due to take place in July like last year, but nominations for the position were supposed to be made two months ahead, which the NFA should have announced in April.He said the issue of the 2006 Fifa World Cup tickets was also not satisfactorily explained, after the football authorities told the media that the NFA did not receive tickets this year.Van Wyk said the interim committee was also embarrassed by the announcement of the new Brave Warriors’ coach through the media, while no official communication was made to them as members.He said they were also unhappy with the dismantling of the Organising and Competitions Committee (OCC).The OCC was previously centralised and gave control to a certain group of people when organising major competitions around the country.It was apparently decentralised to curb the pocketing of gate-takings by a few individuals.Meanwhile, Sports Minister John Mutorwa this week urged the football officials to find solutions to the current leadership crisis at Soccer House.Muinjo and Secretary-General Gaweseb could not be reached for comment as they are attending a Fifa Congress in Germany.They are due to return to Namibia on Saturday.