…  On course for COSAFA U-20s

WINDHOEK – Secretary-General of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Barry Rukoro yesterday brushed aside fears about Namibia not participating in the upcoming Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Under-20 Championship to be hosted in Maseru, Lesotho in December this year, despite the association’s dire financial woes.

Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, Rukoro admitted that the NFA is currently in financial dire straits, a situation that hampers its core operations on a daily basis but insisted that the association has embarked on possible measures to ensure Namibia takes part in the annual youth tourney.

“It’s true, we are facing financial challenges but these are situations an institution such as the NFA cannot escape but we are prepared to deal with them. So, instead of being cry babies, we have to do everything possible to ensure we participate even if it means cutting down on some costs and by this I mean by camping at a local place instead of staying in a luxury hotel, or travelling by bus instead of flying.”

Rukoro also revealed that Brave Warriors assistant coach, Ronny Kanalelo, has been entrusted with the coaching duties of the team and will choose his preferred assistant, adding that the identity of the candidate will be announced in due course together with the announcement of the travelling entourage.

“Even if we are not able to prepare as adequately as other participating teams, we will try to put all mechanisms in place so that our boys can at least have decent preparation, since we all want positive results from them. So, the nation must rest assured Namibia will defintly compete at this year’s youth championships come December,” concluded Rukoro.

The NFA had earlier this year bemoaned the lack of proper funding, in reference to the N$8-million grant from government each fiscal year and other additional funds from FIFA, which the NFA  indicated are not sufficient to cater for all seven national teams.
By Otniel Hembapu