Sport mess continues unabated It is clear that the sport ministry has failed to show leadership in the ongoing crisis that has bedevilled the sporting sector. The Jerry Ekandjo-led ministry has been unable to assert its authority over a number of issues plaguing sports in this country.
In an earlier interview with Namibian Sun, deputy sports minister Agnes Tjongarero didn''t mince her words when she boldly stated that Namibian sports needed committed and serious administrators.
“A good administrator will always have some minutes, discussion and having things in order and the sports commission is supposed to sit and say to these federations that we need their reports. We need to have annual reports and do not want weekly things, but it can be done once you have got committed and dedicated people who are serious about the issue,” she was quoted as saying.
As a former sports administrator herself, Tjongagero knows exactly that many officials are inept and out of their depth when it comes to successfully running sports affair. But that is all just talk. There is little action on the part of our leaders in holding sports officials accountable, and mind you, this has nothing to do with interference.
What the honourable minister also failed to add is that many people get into sport administration for personal gain rather than to help uplift the standard of sports.
If one looks at the bickering at the Namibia Sports Commission and the infighting between officials in boxing, rugby and soccer, amongst others, there is a huge premium placed on ''fighting the man'' and settling old scores among officials. Officials spend more time on non-issues and petty personal fights instead of developing the sport.
Our leaders must crack the whip and take drastic action against sport codes that are failing sportsmen and –women.
If they don''t take these officials to task, then their pronouncements on poor sport administration should be dismissed as a mere bark without a bite.
The time of handling officials with kid gloves is over now.