Football used as political ball So Namibia''s so-called number one sport, football is facing a crisis and nobody seems to care.At least that is the idea one gets when you hear the minister of sport telling administrators they must ask for a loan to get their activities going.
While such a response might be understandable given the fact that the ministry has been underfunded for a number of years, the casual manner of the remark makes it sound as if the crisis football is facing is just a laughing matter.
On numerous occasions this paper has pointed out that football''s inactivity has a far-reaching effect on various sectors of Namibia.
From small-time business women selling kapana at matches to professionals who supplement their income by providing services to football teams, to those who are fully employed in football.
Never mind the business teams bring when they play matches in different towns.
The economic downturn is far-reaching, without a doubt.
But what has been the response? Silence from those at the top.
This leads one to think that maybe there is a political agenda at play.
Is it possible that there are some that are hoping to use this crisis as a way to force regime change?
Is it possible that the arrogance of football administrators, who often feel that they deserve the biggest slice of the pie despite doing very little to justify that, has reached a level where it can no longer be tolerated?
If so, then maybe it is time for these agendas to be put in the public domain, instead of where it has been at present, which is silent murmuring and speculation.
Everybody is aware of the adage that a new broom sweeps cleaner, but the longer you take to buy the broom, the dirtier the house becomes.
So if we are genuine about having the best interest of the game at heart, now is the time to act and to make voices heard.
Unless that happens soon, the football loving public will continue to grow despondent. And it would be harder to instil confidence once more.