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Clash of the sexes ahead of netball AGM

Home Sports Clash of the sexes ahead of netball AGM
Clash of the sexes ahead of netball AGM

Ahead of this weekend’s annual general meeting (AGM), growing murmurs of discontent among local female netball administrators yesterday continued over the increasing involvement and occupation of critical positions at Khomas Netball by males. 

Khomas Netball, which runs the Khomas Super 10 League and is the regional netball governing body, is set to host its annual general meeting this coming Saturday, 26 February in the capital. 

But the much-anticipated annual general meeting has been clouded by disagreements over the number and gender of those vying for positions at the upcoming gathering.

Many local female netball administrators, of whom some are also vying for positions at this weekend’s meeting, have anonymously complained about the increasing number of males who are also readying to stand for election, saying it is unfair to the women. 

The collective consensus amongst the complainants is that females should be accorded an opportunity to occupy most of the critical positions on Khomas Netball’s executive committee, and at least make room for one or two males only. 

“Netball is predominately a women’s sport, and for far too long have males taken over the actual running and managing of the game, especially here at Khomas Netball. It’s not fair, as it robs many females of an opportunity to contribute to the destiny of the local game. Look, we don’t have a problem with our male counterparts serving with us on the board, but we need more women there,” stressed one of the female administrators on condition of anonymity. 

Another one added: “People should not take our cries personal; we are just demanding fair play. This is not an issue of equality, it’s principally an issue of fairness and giving women a chance to serve in their rightful places in society. We can’t have more men than women serving on the Khomas Netball executive committee; it’s just not going to be fair.” 

Sharing his views on the latest remonstrations, secretary general of the Khomas Super 10 League Connie Samaria was quick to dispel the objections, saying gender has nothing to do with who should run or serve on Khomas Netball’s executive committee.

“The decision of who should serve depends mostly on the votes of the affiliate members, which are the clubs. They are the ones who nominate these people, males and females, to stand for positions on their behalf. So, if the person is nominated by the clubs to serve, then it means a great deal of trust has been placed on them, and they are competent enough to execute their duties. Why condemn them because of their gender? In fact, whoever is complaining is the one being unfair here,” said Samaria, one of the few males who have served local netball with great distinction.

Meanwhile, fellow male netball administrator Dimitri Bittler similarly expressed disappointment with the latest protests by their female counterparts, saying the world has moved away from the notion that netball is a women’s game only. 

“I don’t believe in the notion that only women should serve on the executive committee. Whoever is capable of running the affairs of the organisation should be granted the opportunity to do so. Every person should be eligible to run for whatever position. The success of players on the court are not determined by the gender of the player, but capabilities and knowledge of the person in charge – irrespective of them being male or female. Our constitution as a country doesn’t support those sorts of things,” said Bittler, who intends to stand for the position of chairperson at this weekend’s meeting. In the past, at one point, six women served on the executive committee. For this coming gathering, a large number of males have been earmarked to take over more positions when compared to women.  

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na