After being hit with a barrage of allegations of maladministration, incompetency, nepotism and abuse of power, long-serving Secretary General of the Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) Joe Kaperu has finally come out with guns blazing, leaping to the defence of the beleaguered federation. New Era Sports Journalist, Otniel Hembapu caught up with the outspoken Kaperu in pursuit of putting this burning issue to rest and get to the root of the problems.
New Era (NE): Of late, the NBF has been hit with damaging allegations of corruption and maladministration including its apparent failure to hold the quarterly Elective Congress over the past few years. We are aware that the NBF President Kelly Nghixulifwa has rubbished such claims insisting the federation last held its official congress in 2010, when the current executive members were re-elected. However, many of your regional members dispute that assertion, maintaining the said congress never took place. What’s your comment on that?
Joe Kaperu (JK): “In all honesty comrade, yes it’s true we were supposed to have the Elective Congress during the 2010 National Championships but due to the absence of the majority of our regional affiliates, the congress had to be postponed. Our constitution is clear on that the NBF cannot hold an Elective Congress without the full quota of regional members. When we talk about regional members, it means chairpersons from all the 14 regions, not coaches or trainers. So in short, the 2010 Elective Congress never took place and was postponed because of the reasons I just mentioned.”
NE: But then again, the NBF was supposed to hold an Elective Congress late last year during the National Championship in Rundu, but for the umpteenth time failed to do so, what happened in Rundu?
JK: “The same scenario unfolded in Rundu. The number of members from our regional sub-federations was not enough to allow the congress to go ahead since many of our regional representatives failed to pitch up for reasons only known to themselves. But we however managed to convene a National Assembly on December 6 last year, where we resolved that all regional members must go back to their respective regions and put their house in order, since their continuing absence from important events was the direct result of these unnecessary postponements of elective congresses and other imperative events on the NBF calendar.
“When the regions have put their house in order, they will report back to us towards the end of May and then we will sit and work on a set date for an Elective Congress where we hope that all members will be present.
“The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) have also offered to provide us with some of their top brass to oversee the smooth running of procedures during the envisaged congress, in order to avoid manipulation of results or any unscrupulous maneuverings during the congress.”
NE: As it stands, the absenteeism of regional sub-federations appears to be the main cause of all these unfortunate delays of important events such as the Elective Congress and others. From your personal observation as Secretary General, what seems to be the main cause of such absenteeism from events of such importance?
JK: “Maybe one can say it’s the lack of proper communication between the head office and its regional members but to be honest, it boils down to lack of proper administration, infighting among regional members and also the lack of competent people in some structures. Some of these officials are power-hungry and want to take over the reins through dubious means such as running to the media with half-baked stories trying to score cheap political points. They must come up with solutions that will help better the current situation rather than launching personal attacks and character assassination.”
NE: Speaking of incompetence in regional structures, these apparent infightings and lack of sound administration at various regional levels, what has the NBF done over the years to arrest the situation?
JK: “We have done the best we could in various areas, like offering sport administration courses, coaching courses, but the response has been very poor as only a few of our regional members attended these well meant courses. So, if people are not willing to improve themselves and their regions through such educative courses, then how do you expect them to deliver at national level?”
NE: Despite all the bickering, as secretary general of the NBF for more than two decades, and considering this year marks your 21st stint as SG, don’t you feel that perhaps some members believe you have overstayed your welcome and have nothing new to offer to Namibian boxing
JK: “Comrade, I know 21 years is a lot in the eyes of some people but we must also remember that with years come experience and what I can offer and what I have offered Namibian boxing is invaluable. Over the years I have increased our level of participation at national and continental levels. We have witnessed a considerable number of decent boxers coming through the ranks while we also took highly competitive boxers to the Olympics, All Africa Games and other major events and all performed fairly well.
“But then again, one can never do a job and excel in the eyes of everyone. I have contributed at all levels, I’m a member of the African Boxing Confederation (ABC), member of the Zone-4 Committee, and an international technical official (ITO) for AIBA, so I know my worth and what I can still offer to Namibian and African boxing.”
NE: But 21years Joe, is that really not a lot and don’t you feel maybe it’s time to hand over to someone with the required expertise, who will perhaps come up with fresh ideas?
JK: “[Laughs] Comrade, 21 years is nothing because there are presidents and SGs that have served for over 40 years in those positions at some organisations worldwide and they are still going strong because they still have something to offer. Even if I am asked to step down tomorrow, I will do it without any hesitation and whoever feels that I have done nothing over the last 21 years must come forward and prove their claims rather than just accusing me of overstaying and abusing power.
“New blood is always welcome but they must do so through the right procedures and stop running to the media with false stories while playing shoddy political games. Anyone aspiring to become SG must be legally appointed and within the legal framework of the federation.”
NE: During the recent shock resignation of Dr Bernard Haufiku, a board member of the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, allegations were rife that his resignation was sparked by the NBF’s reluctance and unwillingness to adhere to standard medical practices concerning participating boxers. It was reported that the board had on many occasions failed to comply or perhaps ignored medical directives from Dr Haufiku and his medical team not to sanction boxers who were declared medically unfit to climb into the ring?
JK: “I also read the reports in the newspapers and I must confess I was surprised because they are devoid of any truth. Why should we allow a boxer to fight if he is not medically fit, it does not make any sense to me. But again, whoever has such evidence is welcome to present it to the relevant authorities. As for Haufiku, I do not know why he resigned because I am not part of the board but I can assure you that his departure will not affect the NBF in any way whatsoever. And again I repeat, there is no crisis in Namibian boxing!”