Shifeta v Hitman

THE demand from the regions that Namibian boxer Moses ‘The Hitman’ Paulus parade his WBA lightweight world title belt is good for the people, but is it necessary for government officials to go on these trips?

I am referring to the deputy Minister of Sport Pohamba Shifeta who will accompany the champion to the trip to the Erongo Region.
The deputy minister was in Japan to give his moral support on behalf of Government and the Namibian people to Moses when he won the title in Yokohama earlier this year. It was without doubt good for him to be ringside for that kind of support, but I am asking myself will that also be with any other individual athlete who is on the threshold of a world title, be it athletics or whatever sport code? Shifeta, together with the Minister of Safety and Security, Nickey Iyambo, addressed fans who welcomed The Hitman at the airport. This weekend, Pohamba is going on a trip to Erongo where is expected to make further statements regarding The Hitman’s victory. Is this necessary? Good and well that he is behind Namibian sportsmen and women, but should it now become his duty to make speeches at every event, in this case at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay this weekend. I don’t have anything against the deputy minister per se, but the fact that Government foots the bill for his travelling first to these international games and also in the country makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. At the moment, I don’t have proof of who will pay for the deputy minister’s trip, but I strongly suspect it is Government. If it is out of his own pocket, it is a different story altogether, but I am sure he will consider this as an official trip like many others and therefore would claim all the benefits that go with it. I don’t know if this is right, but it is something I thought about and maybe the minister can explain to us how he manages to do that. What will come to mind in any ordinary Namibian’s mind are the benefits of such trips. I am talking about the subsistence and travel allowances (S&T). Maybe the Permanent Secretary of Sport, Peingeondjabi Shipoh, can justify the reasons for the minister’s trips, even in the country. Maybe there is not much that the deputy minister can do during the weekend in town and it is only appropriate for him to go on this trip to the coast to explain in detail how The Hitman had his opponent on the ropes. Maybe the ministry feels that since The Hitman is the country’s second ever boxing champion after Harry Simon, he deserves the full support of Government, even outside the ring. Or maybe the ministry has enough resources to fund such trips, that of course despite the many challenges faced by Namibian sporting codes who want more funding to be competitive on the international stage. To be honest, I don’t consider The Hitman’s tour around the country to parade his belt as obligatory for the deputy minister or any other Government official to be present. Regional Governors, mayors and councillors are already in the respective locations and can step up and take the responsibility of speaking at events where they are hosting the champion boxer. For The Hitman and his trainer Nestor Tobias it is fine to reach out and show their success as it is inspiring to the many young people, but I don’t see the point of Government officials joining the party. In fact, I have to commend Tobias for a job well done as he was the man who plotted the downfall of Yusuke Kobori for The Hitman to take the title. Also, The Hitman’s sparring partner, Jatoorora Tjingaveta, needs a word of praise for giving the champion the necessary competition at training to be ready for the fight.