By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK With the next FIFA World Cup finals set for South Africa in 2010, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has already started building a closer relationship with the neighbouring country. NFA Acting President John Muinjo told New Era yesterday that his institution intends to start working with SAFA and strengthen the relationship through youth programs and regular friendly games at all levels, including women’s football. He noted that the process has been set in motion and the first beneficiary has been Namibia’s top referee Boy Boy Ndjandila, who is on an exchange program. The acting President added that there would be more technical courses offered by FIFA and CAF in South Africa of which many Namibians should take advantage. “Despite the fact that we did play South Africa in the Cosafa games, it all ended there and we became selfish by not engaging them as we preferred not to lose the record of wins against them, and no significant friendly cooperation exists between the two associations while there are many players from Namibia being signed up by South African teams as well.” He added that the NFA appreciates the fact that our referees are being called up by SAFA for friendlies as well as for the Vodacom Challenge Cup. ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ SAFA has signed a cooperation agreement with Liberia too. Muinjo added that against this background during the last World Cup in Germany he had discussions with South African football boss Danny Jordaan. Their talks centred on how the two associations could closely work in enhancing relationships, which could lead to more assistance from South Africa through corporate institutions with regard to youth development and preparatory programs that FIFA has lined up for South Africa as host country, and moreover with kit sponsors. Jordaan will at an appropriate time facilitate such a meeting between SAFA and the NFA and I have further invited him, as being part of the Local Organizing Committee, to Namibia to come and share with stakeholders and interested groups on what prospects the World Cup could hold for Southern Africa and Namibia despite our failed 2010 African Cup of Nations bid.ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ Meanwhile, reports claim that South Africa will spend R40-billion on security for the 2010 World Cup, according to National Police Deputy Commissioner Andre Pruis. Pruis, who is also the chairperson of the joint operations and intelligence for the 2010 World Cup, told the Sunday Sun that the country would not be taking any chances. “This budget will ensure that South African security is up to scratch for the global sporting event. “A lot will be covered here, including establishment of national command centres at strategic areas, purchase of helicopters, appointment of police, command vehicles, riot gear to counter public disorder incidents if need be,” explained Pruis. Pruis said they expect to have 185 000 police officers, nationally, by 2009. “Training for police has already started and we expect to complete it by 2009 for the FIFA Confederations Cup,” he said. He added: “We will give special ambush marketing training to enable police officers to protect the rights of sponsors. “People will be safe in the country. During the Cricket and Rugby World Cups, crime was high in the country, but we had no incidents. “Crime can’t be used as an excuse against the World Cup.”