Namibia’s most decorated league administrator and female coach Cynthea Balzar is what one might call the godmother of youth football since the inception of the HopSol youth league in 2017.

The league, which just ended, has been running for the past nine years, making next year’s kickoff a significant milestone. 

Balzar, an interior decorator by profession, worked in the hospitality industry since 1985 as an administration controller.

This led her to do the books and administration of the Otjiwarongo Youth Soccer Club (OYSC).

“I played hockey for Delta Secondary School in Windhoek. Squash and Tennis came in when we moved to Otjiwarongo in 1986. While living in Otjiwarongo, we founded the OYSC in 1998. Here, my coaching career started with the U/11 boys. In 1999, the Old Crocks Soccer Club (HerDa Kickers) was born, a combined team consisting of men and women,” she said.

The tough administrator said her father and uncle were passionate football players. As such, football was always very present in her life from a very early age. “We would follow the Bundesliga, World Cup and other soccer events on weekends with the family. Therefore, it was natural to get involved with soccer and not any other sport code,” she said. 

Balzar has had different roles over the years, including being a vice chairperson and league administrator of Central Schools Soccer Association (CSSA) from February 2009 to 2011.

 From 2006 to 2020, she was a football coordinator at Delta Secondary School in Windhoek.

She was then the team manager of the NFA U/17 National Soccer Boys team for the Westphalia Tournament in Walvis Bay and the South Africa match in Kimberley in 2010.  “It was very tough for female coaches on the sidelines in those years, coaching boys, as football is a very male-dominated sport code.  However, the better you know your rules, work according to the manual, avoid unnecessary discussions, stay focused on what you need to do, and stay genuine, the better you will be on the medal side. This counts for the administration as well,” she stated.

Balzar has been involved in many tournaments and leagues so far, gaining first-hand insight into what happens behind the scenes which spectators and players are not privy to.This has given her invaluable experience. 

“Every league, tournament or event has its memorable moments. It’s difficult to single out the best moment. Going to South Africa with the U/17 squad with FNB was a great experience, taking the U/19 trophy five times in a row with Invincible FC in the Khomas League counts as a big achievement, and certainly being the first U/19 winner with DSSW in 2017 in the HopSol league is a fantastic feeling,” she shared.

With the MTC HopSol Youth League, she feels that the league is a valuable platform for the development of players in all aspects – “whether it is to nurture their social responsibilities in their academic achievements or the skills in their football career, the interaction with different communities and individuals or the day-to-day life skills, like companionship, team spirit, punctuality and many more,” she noted.

“Ms Balzar or Ms B, as we affectionately know her, has extensive experience and knowledge in football administration. Whether it’s the KSSR League, Khomas League, Top Score, as a manager of Invincible or coaching U/19 youth teams at Delta Secondary, she is definitely a win and part of the success story of the MTC HopSol youth soccer league. Some of her values that we appreciate, such as trust, honesty, punctuality, respect and empathy, matches with what the MTC HopSol Youth soccer league stands for,” said Collin Benjamin, co-founder of the league and current Brave Warriors coach.

Balzar said working with Benjamin has been a great pleasure. Besides being her boss, he has become a very special friend in her life whom she is grateful for.

Sport consultant Mathew Haikali said Balzar stands out as one of the most competent and principled figures in football administration.He said she is respected for her unwavering integrity and professionalism in managing the game.  “I have known her for a long time – going back to her days managing Invisible FC, where my son played, and even then, her dedication to youth development was unmistakable. Her passion, consistency and deep commitment to nurturing young talent continue to define her leadership within football circles. If there were awards for service excellence in sport administration, she would undoubtedly be among the top contenders, not only for her exceptional work ethic but also for the positive impact she has made on countless young athletes,” said Haikali.

“Any project is only as good as the people who are driving it with passion for the project. Looking back, I am convinced that, with our sponsors on board, who share this same passion as myself, there is a bright future for HopSol and the grassroots level. 

We have a responsibility towards all those who want to celebrate the fun and joy of this great game called football, who need this platform to grow, interact and become responsible individuals,” he added.

-slunyangwe@nepc.com.na