The Namibia Football Association (NFA) issued a statement yesterday in response to remarks made by Debmarine Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Willy Mertens, during the NFA Debmarine Premiership trophy handover last week Saturday.

Mertens said their wish is that the NFA leadership would start to value, respect and appreciate sponsors.

“At Debmarine Namibia, our commitment to football is far more than sponsorship. 

It is an investment in a shared dream, a dream that sees communities uplifted, talents nurtured, and lives changed. 

We believe that football is a unifying force, bringing together people from all backgrounds and inspiring a collective sense of pride. 

Through this league, we believe that we contributed to the growth of local talent, created opportunities, and helped lay the foundation for professional careers in sport and a national league that will be independent from the Association,” he stated.

“Over the past three seasons, our commitment to Namibian football has been steadfast. The numbers speak for themselves: We invested about N$50 million into the Debmarine Namibia Premiership. A sum that has empowered the NFA to strengthen league operations, improve remuneration for players and technical staff, referees, medical personnel, guesthouses and lodges in various towns, transport service providers and at the same time extend the reach of football across Namibia,” Mertens highlighted.

He went on to elaborate that their involvement in football started with the NFA Cup in 2015 and has since extended to supporting the Brave Warriors, Brave Gladiators, as well as clubs like African Stars and Tura Magic Ladies in African club competitions, an investment totaling close to N$80 million over the past decade.

He added that beyond the pitch, this investment has had a profound impact on livelihoods, employing 877 individuals across various roles, including technical teams, security personnel, medical staff, stadium workers, accommodation providers, transport services, referees, and vendors. “This number mirrors the workforce of Debmarine Namibia, reinforcing our belief in the transformative potential of our contributions. Just as our natural diamonds touch hearts worldwide, our investment in football touches lives right here at home,” he noted.

“We have always advocated that the real beneficiaries of this sponsorship should be the players, coaches and officials through the clubs. Our involvement in football has always been about the 480 players, referees and officials. To the players and fans, your passion and dedication made this league what it is. 

It is now time for the league to transcend to the next stage of becoming independent from the NFA and we hope that the NFA leadership will make their commitment a reality. 

We believe that an independent model will be the only way to attract and retain sustainable sponsorship for the league.”

Mertens expressed disappointment over the pace of transformation: “We had hoped that the transformation project would be far advanced by now. Our wish is that the NFA leadership, although absent today, would start to value, respect and appreciate sponsors, put the development of football, the welfare of the players and the interest of the clubs above their personal objectives. We, at Debmarine Namibia, as a sponsor certainly did not feel respected and valued by the NFA leadership especially over the past two years. Only then will we move football forward in this country.”

In response, NFA interim general secretary Cassius Moetie said the association was caught by surprise and views the statement as regrettable. 

“Certain assertions misrepresent the character and integrity of the NFA. Left unaddressed, they risk unfairly damaging our reputation and the progress made in Namibian football,” he said.

Moetie stressed that all sponsorship funds have been used according to agreed terms and directly benefit players, coaches, and officials. He clarified that although the President and Vice President were absent, the NFA was represented by Executive Council members.

“We find it disappointing that such remarks were made publicly at an event sponsored by Debmarine. Our agreement provides formal platforms for dialogue. Public criticism undermines that spirit,” Moetie added.

He reaffirmed the NFA’s commitment to transparency, internal governance, and the continued development of football across all 14 regions of Namibia. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na