NFA splits Northern Stream

THE Northern Stream First Division (NSFD) will be divided into two leagues, in line with an NFA resolution passed at its 22nd ordinary congress on Saturday.

The second-tier division, which is set for kick-off in its current format this weekend, was split in order to increase the promotion of teams from the northern regions into the Namibia Premier League. The NSFD is expected to transform into the North East Stream and North West Stream for the 2013-14 season, following recommendations by a specially appointed committee. Currently, the NSFD operates in eight regions, whereas the Southern Stream First Division operates in five regions, with only two places available for promotion to the NPL every season.’This scenario does not make provision for fair chances of promotion of teams to the NPL and opportunity for young players from the eight regions who aspire to play in the elite league of the country but cannot migrate to the south as well as the danger of of NPL to become a Windhoek-based league,’ said NFA spokesperson Fillemon Vatilifa. ‘The congress resolved to re-demarcate the Northern Stream First Division into two streams, the North East Stream comprising of Caprivi, Kavango, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions, and the North West Stream comprising of Kunene, Omusati Oshana and Otjozondjupa regions.’The NFA also vowed to intensify efforts in securing substantive funding of all its leagues. Currently, only the NPL has a firm financier.The first division is partially funded by the MTC via the NPL while it also operates on additional funds from the NFA. The 13 second-division leagues and other affiliate leagues are fully funded by the NFA with some assistance from the government through the Ministry of Sport, Fifa, Caf, The Namibian newspaper, Namibia Breweries and other sponsors and donors.