In 2003, when America invaded Iraq, the popular phrase “shock and awe”, was coined and authors Harlan K Ullman and James P Wade explained in the following lingo.
“To impose an overwhelming level of shock and awe against an adversary to sufficiently paralyse its will to carry on…” It further states that the “enemy will be incapable of resistance at a strategic level”. Dear readers, this very same phenomena is impersonated unintentionally, or so I’m inclined to believe by our own national sport bodies if one takes a quick glimpse at the so-called top three namely:
NRU Presidency
As it stands, the union is operating without an outright mandate from its subjects, clubs, but feeling comfortable laden with a skewed board masquerading as the designated representatives of Namibian rugby.
Yours truly cannot put his finger on the pulse as to how well skilled professionals such legal gurus, accountants and specifically those chosen to carry out specific tasks are allowed to have voting rights on the national body. Or is it perhaps to swing the balance of power? I’m just asking.
The seemingly unending ongoing shenanigans at Lichtenstein Strasse and the subsequent shock resignation of four board members was greeted by the appointment of an agent from Sleepy Hollow National Sports Commission (NSC), which was dispatched to conduct a thorough investigate.
Needless to say, the so-called investigation under the stewardship of Amos Shiyuka yielded very little if any fruits rather than blatant lies that there is an aura of jealousy from the aggrieved departed members. Now the fundamental question that needs to be asked is: towards whom and for what good reason?
This once again demonstrates the level of commitment by the “Sleep Hollow” in the execution of their mandate and inability to solve problems in many a sport umbrella bodies/federations such as the NFA. Rugby will be advised to follow the same route and allow investigations and proper audits into financial, statutory and human resource compliance with the Namibian Constitution.
The audit should look at In-house performance management including an array of Budget and Management Audit areas. The question is; what was the main reason for the resignation of the quartet?
I would challenge the departed members to go back and resolve those issues and as far as I am concerned, they are in a position of strength and NOT the other way around. It’s of paramount importance for both parties to bury the hatchet, try to reach a compromise aimed at making concessions within the policies of the NRU.
Expectations from government, clubs, supporters and sponsors will have to be included in policy discussions and ultimately the NRU statutes review. There is an urgent need of greater level of transparency, since there are approximately only 90 days left before the oval ball gets rolling for the IRB World Cup.
Begin the journey to RWC with a clean slate and should the need arise remove unwarranted personal prejudice, hardliners and people’s obstacles! Encourage open sessions to create a united front and get the message out to players and all and sundry that Namibia is on the right track. It’s my sincere plea to those controlling rugby to engage both the Ombudsman.
NN/“ANNATJIE”
Ag shame! Where did all go wrong? Yours truly does not want to join the detractors but this once proud ladies’ sporting discipline (netball) appears to be on a path of self-destruction.
Firstly, let us forget about the Six Nations Tourney in Singapore, stay home and get your house in order. Travelling all the way to Singapore was not going to serve any purpose anyway at this stage. As Harald Fulle rightfully pointed out, get your internal affairs sorted and engage all your affiliates to find a solution to this eyesore shenanigans in the annals of domestic netball.
The NFA/Buckey Debacle
Yours truly is in total agreement with my buddy Carlos Kambaekwa in his humble plea to the NFA president to consider a decent salary package for Bucksey Mannetti. Why is it that when it comes to a certain group of people in our society, they are valued less than their pale skinned brothers?
This is purely a mindset and terrible prejudice since this practice goes on and is applicable in ability as well – probably never heard of the proverb, don’t judge a book by its cover. There is this sickening tendency end to overlook our own kith and kin making a massive boohah whenever some bloke emerging from beyond our borders becomes eligible to represent their conveniently adopted land.
Not even if the said athlete has been floundering in an obscure third division league in a lightweight foreign league, they always receive preferential treatment ahead of home-grown athletes. Adios!!