…new year, new look for NPL clubs
WINDHOEK – The chairman of the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL), Johnny Johnson ‘JJD’ Doeseb, has urged football clubs to refrain from their habitual act of relying solely on the league’s monthly grants, saying the time has arrived for clubs to start coming up with initiatives that will help secure their financial wellbeing and growth.
Doeseb was speaking at a brief press conference at the Supporters Sports Bar in the capital yesterday where league sponsor, MTC handed over home and away playing gear and other equipment to nine league teams and 36 stream division teams, as well as outfits for match officials worth N$700 000.
Doeseb blasted clubs that often feel the need to publicize their matches whenever they have games against big crowed-pullers like African Stars, insisting all clubs should take it upon their shoulders to ensure they draw decent crowds to all their matches. “MTC as sponsor deserves better than what we are offering right now, that’s why I’m urging all clubs to start going the extra mile to ensure the sponsor gets the deserved mileage. Clubs cannot just depend on the league for everything, they too must start going out and convince their fans to attend all their games,” urged Doeseb. Doeseb’s sentiments were endorsed by MTC’s Tim Ekandjo, who also touched on the issue of professionalism within the structures of local club football. Ekandjo called on clubs to run their day-to-day affairs in a professional manner and to seek advice if they find themselves struggling with the implementation of cost-effective professional formulas. The NPL chief also used the platform to inform those in attendance about the preparations of Black Africa and African Stars ahead of their CAF African Champions League fixtures slated for early next month, saying the league has decided to assist the two teams financially with logistical expenses to the tune of N$200 000 and also revealed that African Stars would be getting an undisclosed extra incentive from the league, because it is a club fully sponsored by the MTC NPL, as opposed to Black Africa who are sponsored by FNB as their main sponsor.
By Otniel Hembapu