Windhoek
Murmurs of discontent can be clearly heard in the troubled corridors of the Namibia Karate Union (NAKU) over the exorbitant fees young karatekas are required to cough up when representing their native country.
Parents are complaining bitterly over the union’s rather strange decision to ask athletes to part with large sums of money if they are to secure International participation.
In an exclusive interview with New Era Sport, a disgruntled parent, who politely requested that his identity be withheld for fear of reprisals, expressed grave concern and dissatisfaction over the union’s decision obliging athletes on national duty to represent their motherland to foot a significant chunk of the traveling expenses.
“Being a concerned parent and contestant I was baffled to learn that we have to contribute large amounts of money for the trip to Harare, Zimbabwe,” charged one agitated parent-cum-contestant.
NAKU held national trials on February 27 that yielded the selection of 69 karatekas to represent Namibia at the upcoming Region Five Karate Championships in Harare.
“This is absolutely ludicrous, even though this sickening exercise has been going for almost ten years now. It should be noted that the majority of our leading karatekas are still students – yet they are required to cough up large amounts of money to represent their country,” charged another contestant.
Karatekas representing Namibia at major international gatherings are obliged to make large contributions towards the union’s bills, inclusive of basic things, such as meals and nutrition, transport and other unforeseen expenses that might be accrued on tour, while athletes must also take care of their own daily allowance.
Parents and contestants must pay large fees, ranging between N$5 500 and N$1 200. To rub salt into the wound, athletes from well-to-do families will travel separately by air, while those less fortunate would be bussed over the more than 2 000 km distance.
In total, those hitting the skies with the jumbo Jet will be required to part ways with N$8 280 while those traveling by bus must pay N$3 795. In addition, athletes are required to make a significant financial contribution (N$700) towards the purchasing of full national kit.
Approached for his view on this potentially dangerous unfolding debacle, acting chief administrator of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Walter Haseb said he is fully aware of the financial challenges facing many sport codes in the country.
“As it stands, we’re operating on a skeleton budget and to worsen the situation the money is yet to be released by government. As much as we have sympathy with financially crippled sport codes, it’s totally unacceptable for members of our respective national teams to travel separately on different traveling modes”.
Haseb cautioned sports umbrella bodies to guard against unintentional segregation and urged them to apply their minds without prejudice. Furthermore, Haseb in no uncertain terms, said if sport officials are unable to solicit sufficient funding for foreign trips, then the show must be called off.
“The bottom line is athletes must never be subjected to discrimination, while their inclusion in the team should also not be measured against the size of their financial muscles to represent their country.”