How much can we expect from a leader? It is that time of the year again, when sport codes are electing new leadership and reflecting on their achievements during the year.It is always interesting to know what sport code has changed its leadership and who remains in what position. As we have seen rugby retaining its president, the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) president is also retaining his position as well as Cricket Namibia president, while Athletics Namibia has a new president. Let me go through my expectations from a few.
So much can be expected from a leader of a sport code but so much is also expected from all stakeholders to achieve the best from a sport code.
Dear sport code presidents, firstly, I urge you to continue fighting for the best for Namibian sport lovers and refrain from using the positions for self-enrichment while you steer the ship.
Namibian sport has come to a point where, if we opportunists in these important positions, then we should forget about prospering in sports. At this juncture, you need to grab every opportunity that we get to build whatever sport code you are leading.
We have all seen and heard about the lack of funding for sport in the country. Given the current funding dilemma, and speaking to new leadership, the first thing you should do is to lobby for sponsorship.
It is high time that sport codes in this country take sport as a lucrative industry, which can benefit millions when all opportunities are explored.
We cannot go on with doing sport for the sake of it and deriving no benefits from it. And, I am just broadly thinking about the recent Invest in Namibia Conference and if any sport leader took time to just engage with delegates that attended the conference, maybe some leaders would have shared ideas about how we can grow this sport industry and how learn from how it is done in other countries.
Basically, we are kind of starting from what we tried building and all things seem to be falling apart. And for any sport code president, it is your responsibility together with your leadership to ensure that at the end of your tenure, followers of your sport code can celebrate what you have achieved.
It would probably not serve any good, to set lofty targets for the sport codes but it is only when we have a certain plan that we are able to move an inch from where we are now.
Let us map out strategic plans that clearly outline what the leadership is hoping to get done and ensure that it is being implemented.
It is wise to remember that those who have elected you to that position expects a lot from you but only when there is some sort of cooperation and communication will you be able to celebrate you achievements.
Sport code leadership should at all levels speak out against racism in sports and make sure that sport is inclusive of everyone.
We have heard about racism claims in some sport codes but now that you are probably starting with new leadership, please ensure that such claims do not come up again.
Please aim for bigger competitions and not aim to participate but to win. To Athletics Namibia, look back and let the new leadership revolve challenges faced with athletics in the country and let us bask in the sunshine of our glorious days of yester year.
Athletics Namibia seriously needs to go an extra mile to reach out for the talent in the rural areas. To be frank, sometimes we deny ourselves the best because we do not reach out to the rural folks.
You need to extensively reach out to your regional representatives and they should ensure that talent in their regions are identified and groomed, and let us have a full representation for this nation.
Olympics Committee: It’s great that you have kept your leadership with little changes. This is just an acknowledgement and our expectations. When there are major competitions that you oversee, please work on your communication channels and if that is hard to do, please outsource.
This is a friendly plea, that we do not hear and experience the kind of communication we had this year.
Dear presidents and your leadership, the nation is looking upon you, we have high expectations of you so, do all that you can to retain the hope of a Namibian sport lover.
kaino@namibiansun.com
KAINO NGHITONGO