Yours truly has been following with keen interest ongoing double standards and nepotism so loosely and recklessly practised in many a Namibian sporting discipline.
The case of our leading cyclist, one Raul Costa Seibeb, is a classic example if one carefully considers the shameless fashion in which the powers that be at the Namibian Cycling Federation (NCF) are stumbling and trembling all over their feet to parade the boy as the face of Namibian Cycling.
As far as my recollection serves me, Seibeb is under suspension and should not under any circumstances be used as a political pawn to attract lucrative sponsorships from unsuspecting donors.
It’s a well-documented secret that Seibeb was suspended unfairly and treated like an orphan with no constitutional rights in his motherland through a kangaroo court.
There was overwhelming evidence that procedures pertaining to the drummed up charges of misconduct, the shoddy manner in which the trial was handled, flagrant denial of fairness and subsequent sanction were gravely flawed or rather violated, to say the least.
Without beating about the bush, let’s call a spade a spade, not a large SPOON, please! The buck stops with the presiding body, the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) period! What the heck are those guys over there at the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) smoking?
Do they honestly think in their supposed sober minds that the general public (the masses) are a bunch of moegoes who can be easily taken for granted in such a lopsided style, or is our intellectual capacity being placed under the microscope here? I’m just asking.
This is absolute double standard and hypocrisy of the highest order punctuated by sheer arrogance and flagrant disregard for human rights.
Don’t shoot the goose that lays the golden eggs
The drawn out saga between reigning Namibian champions African Stars and its coach Woody Jacobs is not a good advertisement for the beautiful game and could have far reaching repercussions for both parties.
For starters, the accusation that Jacobs was the chief instigator for players to demand what they are rightly entitled to is an absolute cock and bull story and holds no water.
The coach as the most senior member of the playing personnel was within his confines to approach club management to consider paying bonuses to the players – after all, their togetherness is the result of the players. The lame excuse advanced by the club that the request for bonuses was not part of the players’ contractual agreement is nonsensical discussion, to say the least.
Footballers should be entitled to a certain percentage of any money trickling into the club’s coffers as a result of their sweat – finish and klaar!
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that the players are shit scared to approach management because they would be labelled rebels and could subsequently suffer the consequences of being grounded or have some of their perks cheesed off.
Changing coaches in the same fashion a mother would change her baby’s nappies is becoming a hobby in Namibian football and unless somebody stops the rot – this circus is going lower the standard of our football, notably in the flagship league, the MTC Premiership.
The disadvantage is that players must now adapt to a new coach with a different coaching philosophy and methodology. It takes time to implement ideas – and players are likely to lose focus and momentum during the transitional period. I rest my case.