NFA medical committee resigns

WINDHOEK – The Namibia Football Association’s Medical Committee has resigned, complaining about unfair practices and poor remuneration.

The committee comprises Bernhard Haufiku (chairman), Charles Karamata, Adolf Kaura (all doctors), Donatha Gawanab (medic), Christine Nasheenda (physiotherapist) and Melita Kgobetsi (registered nurse). Haufiku confirmed the resignation this week, saying the main reason is that Gawanab was treated unfairly when she was sidelined from working with the senior men’s national team.He said Gawanab was accused of having a relationship with one of the players during Namibia’s encounter against the DRC in August 2006, an allegation which she denied and which could hitherto not be proven.Gawanab had been working with the senior national team for more than eight years before she was unceremoniously dropped.As chairman of the medical committee, Haufiku requested the NFA to investigate the matter and bring Gawanab before a disciplinary hearing, but nothing came of that, he said.He was later told by acting NFA secretary general Barry Rukoro that the incident was not a case at all and has been thrown out.He was further informed that Gawanab could start working again as normal.However, when Gawanab was appointed by the Medical Committee to assist with the medical needs of the Brave Warriors, Haufiku was told that the national coach, Ben Bamfuchile, did not want to work with her or any other female medical officer, Haufiku said.He stressed that Bamfuchile’s attitude in that respect was discriminatory and practically impossible.On the remuneration, Haufiku said that the Medical Committee protested against the low appearance fee of N$250 per day, arguing that as professional doctors they lose a lot of business when they accompany the national team.The medical committee therefore requested the NFA to increase the daily allowance to at least N$700, he said.He has requested an audience with the executive committee on numerous occasions to iron out the issues, but was always told to write letters, which he did.Haufiku said he has to date not received any feedback from the NFA on their grievances.Approached for comment, Rukoro confirmed the resignation of the Medical Committee.He said Gawanab was sidelined because she broke the trust that the national team management had in her.According to Rukoro, Gawanab had communicated team selection details for the Democratic Republic of Congo African Nations Cup qualifier, an act which Rukoro said was not in her line of duty.”It was for that reason that the Brave Warriors team management felt that Gawanab could no longer be trusted,” he said.Gawanab this year played a big part in the domestic league and cup competitions as she came to the rescue of several players who were injured during matches.On the remuneration, Rukoro said the association cannot afford the committee’s financial demands.He said that the NFA is still in continued communication and has not given up hope that the committee would see their point.”We want to make sure that they come back to the call.We are still good friends but just differ on a matter of principle,” Rukoro said.Contacted by Nampa again on the team management’s distrust in Gawanab, Haufiku said that the incident was resolved a long time ago with the team management and coach and that her apology was accepted at that time.”Rukoro is trying to deviate from the truth.It is a serious allegation made against Gawanab and we want the issue to be cleared,” Haufiku said.The Brave Warriors, who are in camp at the moment, are expected to face Libya in a home tie of the African Nations Cup qualifier on June 2.But before that, the team will be expected to play a few friendly matches which would also require medical personnel.NampaHaufiku confirmed the resignation this week, saying the main reason is that Gawanab was treated unfairly when she was sidelined from working with the senior men’s national team.He said Gawanab was accused of having a relationship with one of the players during Namibia’s encounter against the DRC in August 2006, an allegation which she denied and which could hitherto not be proven.Gawanab had been working with the senior national team for more than eight years before she was unceremoniously dropped.As chairman of the medical committee, Haufiku requested the NFA to investigate the matter and bring Gawanab before a disciplinary hearing, but nothing came of that, he said.He was later told by acting NFA secretary general Barry Rukoro that the incident was not a case at all and has been thrown out.He was further informed that Gawanab could start working again as normal.However, when Gawanab was appointed by the Medical Committee to assist with the medical needs of the Brave Warriors, Haufiku was told that the national coach, Ben Bamfuchile, did not want to work with her or any other female medical officer, Haufiku said.He stressed that Bamfuchile’s attitude in that respect was discriminatory and practically impossible.On the remuneration, Haufiku said that the Medical Committee protested against the low appearance fee of N$250 per day, arguing that as professional doctors they lose a lot of business when they accompany the national team.The medical committee therefore requested the NFA to increase the daily allowance to at least N$700, he said.He has requested an audience with the executive committee on numerous occasions to iron out the issues, but was always told to write letters, which he did.Haufiku said he has to date not received any feedback from the NFA on their grievances.Approached for comment, Rukoro confirmed the resignation of the Medical Committee.He said Gawanab was sidelined because she broke the trust that the national team management had in her.According to Rukoro, Gawanab had communicated team selection details for the Democratic Republic of Congo African Nations Cup qualifier, an act which Rukoro said was not in her line of duty.”It was for that reason that the Brave Warriors team management felt that Gawanab could no longer be trusted,” he said.Gawanab this year played a big part in the domestic league and cup competitions as she came to the rescue of several players who were injured during matches.On the remuneration, Rukoro said the association cannot afford the committee’s financial demands.He said that the NFA is still in continued communication and has not given up hope that the committee would see their point.”We want to make sure that they come back to the call.We are still good friends but just differ on a matter of principle,” Rukoro said.Contacted by Nampa again on the team management’s distrust in Gawanab, Haufiku said that the incident was resolved a long time ago with the team management and coach and that her apology was accepted at that time.”Rukoro is trying to deviate from the truth.It is a serious allegation made against Gawanab and we want the issue to be cleared,” Haufiku said.The Brave Warriors, who are in camp at the moment, are expected to face Libya in a home tie of the African Nations Cup qualifier on June 2.But before that, the team will be expected to play a few friendly matches which would also require medical personnel.Nampa