The Omaheke Regional Football Association (ORFA) has challenged the Namibia Football Association’s (NFA) decision to disqualify the region from participating in the Southern Stream First Division promotion play-offs.
The ORFA describes the sanction as “too harsh” and unfair to clubs, players and supporters.
Speaking to Desert FM yesterday, ORFA chairperson Theobalt Kahure said the association respects the NFA as the country’s football governing body but disagrees with the reasons for the disqualification.
The NFA says the decision was based on concerns over the integrity of the regional league, incomplete documentation and what it described as an unlawfully constituted disciplinary committee.
Kahure, however, rejected those findings.
“We dispute these findings because we are following the whole process. These matters were handled through the independent disciplinary committee and we disagree with the decision,” he said.
He said the ruling had dealt a major blow to everyone involved in football in the region after a season of hard work.
“The disqualification of our league from participating in the upcoming promotion play-offs is really disappointing. It is too harsh and has a direct impact on our clubs, players, coaches, supporters and everyone who worked intensely throughout the season to earn their place in the play-offs,” Kahure said.
Despite expressing disappointment, he said the association intends to engage the NFA through the appropriate channels after studying the decision.
Kahure also claimed the regional association was not afforded an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the NFA Executive Council reached its decision.
“We were never given the opportunity to address the issue. After receiving the letter, we wrote to the acting general secretary requesting reasons for the decision, but we were never given the opportunity to defend ourselves,” he said.
Asked whether ORFA would appeal the decision, Kahure questioned whether such a process would offer any practical remedy given that the promotion play-offs are scheduled to take place this weekend.
While disputing the grounds for the disqualification, Kahure acknowledged that football administration in the region could be strengthened.
He called on the NFA to provide governance and administrative training for regional football leaders and to improve support structures across the country.
“We need improvement on the administrative side, and it is my appeal to the NFA to provide administration courses so that we can better manage football in the regions,” he said.
Kahure said several regional football offices operate without full-time administrators, leaving elected executive members to handle daily administrative responsibilities.
“Some regional offices are without administrators and executives are forced to assist with day-to-day operations. We need the mother body to establish and employ people in the regions to manage these offices,” he said.
Despite the setback, Kahure urged clubs, players, coaches, sponsors and supporters not to lose hope, expressing confidence that dialogue with the NFA could resolve the impasse.
“We are human beings. We can come around the table, sort out our differences and continue developing football within our regions,” he said.
The NFA has maintained that the disqualification followed governance concerns surrounding the ORFA.
NFA acting general secretary Mabos Vries yesterday said there was no hearing on the matter as they conducted their own invetigation.
“We acted on the information they submitted to us,” he said.
