Oshakati
A looming wave of crisis is likely to hit league debutants, Young Chiefs Football Club, the only representative in the country’s topflight league from the vast Oshana Region.
During a recent inspection by MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) officials of two stadiums in Oshakati, it was provisionally declared that both the Uukwangula and the Oshakati Independence stadia did not meet the minimum requirements to host league games. With the declaration by the league authorities, Young Chiefs were circuitously robbed of their chance of playing home matches in front of the local crowd.
According to NPL Board member, Mabos Vries, who was also part of the inspection team, the playing surface of the spacious Oshakati Stadium is extremely dry and is not in a conducive state and thus does not meet the minimum requirements to host NPL games. He said the Uukwangula Stadium is in perfect condition, but the stadium poses a serious danger to the lives of players and match officials, as it does not have a security fence to separate spectators from the pitch.
He said, as matters stand, the two stadiums cannot host league games until all relevant stakeholders are consulted on the matter. Vries acknowledged that the league understands that the stadia do not belong to the teams, as most of them are owned by government, but maintained that they are not willing to compromise on the safety of the players and spectators.
A source close to Young Chiefs revealed that plans are underway to relocate Young Chiefs’ home games to Tsumeb, a situation that would deprive the league’s new boys of home ground advantage. However, Vries said no decision has been taken yet regarding the position of Young Chiefs, but confirmed that consultations are underway and that the league organisers would soon pronounce themselves on the issue.