In the high-stakes world of Namibian sports, federations like Athletics Namibia and the Namibia Football Association (NFA) are at a crossroads. 

Instead of micromanaging events, they should focus on spearheading strategic growth, building talent pipelines, securing sponsorships and enforcing standards while delegating operations to trained sports managers. 

This shift could transform local athletics and football from inconsistent performers to regional powerhouses. Consider the evidence: Athletics Namibia’s recent national championships faced logistical nightmares: delayed starts, poor venue setups and athlete complaints over inadequate facilities.  Similarly, the NFA’s Premier League matches have and still suffer from scheduling conflicts and subpar officiating, eroding fan trust. 

These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of federations stretched thin, trying to wear too many hats.  Sports managers, equipped with diplomas from institutions like the Namibia Sports Academy or international certifications, are trained precisely for this: budgeting, marketing, risk assessment and seamless execution. Federations excel at vision-setting.  They negotiate with COSAFA for cross-border exposure, lobby the government for funding, and set anti-doping protocols. 

Athletics Namibia could champion grassroots programs in the rural Khomas and Erongo regions, scouting prodigies like 2024 junior sprint sensation Amupadhi Haingura and many other upcoming athletes.  The NFA should prioritise coach education and youth academies, mirroring South Africa’s holistic model that produced stars like Percy Tau. When federations run events themselves, resources are diverted from their core roles, stunting long-term progress.

Delegation might seem like abdication, but it is smart governance (this must be a new normal). 

The International Olympic Committee and Fifa endorse this: federations as strategists and managers as operators. 

Namibia’s own success stories back it up. 

The 2023 Namibia Rugby Union’s partnership with professional event firms delivered a flawless international test match, boosting attendance by 40%. 

Athletics and football could replicate this by outsourcing to firms such as Namibia Sports Promotions, thereby freeing executives for high-impact work. Critics argue that federations need “hands-on control” to maintain integrity.  

This is a fair point, but oversight mechanisms such as clear contracts, performance audits and federations retaining final approvals address that without reinventing the wheel.  Sport managers, after all, were taught these skills to professionalise the industry. Namibia’s sports scene is ripe for elevation. 

With the 2026 African Games on the horizon, Athletics Namibia and the NFA must pivot: lead boldly and delegate wisely. 

Let managers handle the runs. 

Federations should set the pace.

*Andrew Ngenokesho Taapopi is an African Union Sports alumni and holds a Master’s in Sports Management and Policy Development from PULESI. He is passionate about fostering inclusive growth in athletics across the continent.