Save Our Soccer The resignation of Johnny Doeseb as Namibia Premier League chairperson this week was an abrupt one, but it came as no surprise to some of us.The fact that JJD chose to direct a series of salvos at his detractors for the last time, by claiming that he was stabbed in the back and betrayed is testimony that we have deep-seated problems in our football fraternity.
None of the so-called revolutionary blueprints endorsed over the years have managed to rescue the situation on the ground.
Football has not improved much despite the many promises made to turn the corner. Had it not been for the 14-year MTC sponsorship, Namibian football would have long been buried. Ours cannot even be referred to as a semi-professional set up.
We are far away from achieving such status considering the way we are doing things at the moment.
A semi or professional football league is meant to be self-sustaining, with a great emphasis on sound business principles in order to maximise profits.
Both the NPL and the Namibia Football Association (NFA) are still very reliant on sponsorship funds, government subsidies and FIFA grants. The fact that the football bosses have failed over the years to come up with a practical solution on finding lasting answers to the perennial financial problems of both the NFA and NPL already, adds to the woes at grassroots level.
We cannot talk of changing the fortunes of football if we can’t get the basics right.
The football authorities must admit they are not organised enough and not many have the ability to demonstrate leadership acumen to influence change. Precious time is spent on petty politicking and squabbles among officials instead of addressing the issues on the ground.
Petty differences have been festering for years and it appears that the powers that be are not learning from past mistakes.
Just like many other sporting bodies, football has a long way to go and perhaps it is time for retrospection.
It is time to chart a new way forward.