WINDHOEK – The long drawn out love and hate romance between the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) and one of its most prized assets, Raul Costa Seibeb, has finally been resolved.
Both aggrieved parties, under the stewardship of the Namibia Olympic Committee Interim President Abner “Big Daddy” Xoagub, announced during a hastily organised tense press briefing in Windhoek yesterday that the parties have agreed to bury the hatchet.
Seibeb is the victim of an unscrupulous decision dished out by the seemingly trigger-happy NCF that resolved to suspend him following his last minute notification to withdraw from national duty.
At the centre of the storm is Seibeb’s eleventh hour withdrawal from the team and apparent point blank refusal to accompany the national cycling team to South Africa for participation in the high profile Africa Olympic Qualifiers in November last year.
Seibeb sought refuge in the divine intervention from the sports authorities and after listening carefully to arguments submitted by the complainant and the NCF – it was resolved to find an amicable solution in an effort to put the dispute to bed.
Said Xoagub: “We looked at various options to clarify the dispute and we are convinced that certain procedures were flawed in terms of adherence to the conditions stipulated in the federation’s code of conduct.”
Xoagub added that investigation proved beyond any doubt the offender failed to follow correct procedures when he resolved to dig his heels in the sand prior to an international event – obliging the red-faced cycling bosses to take drastic action.
“It all boils down to discipline, it’s critical for athletes to acquaint themselves well with the rules and regulations governing their togetherness. I would humbly urge all sports federations and umbrella bodies to work hand in glove with their subjects to ensure adherence to the code of conduct.”
In the same breath, the long-serving big-framed sports administrator encouraged athletes to always rope in the services of credible representatives that would guide them when it comes down to crucial negotiations and the signing of binding contracts.
Although the two parties half-heartedly buried the hatchet – Seibeb turned to be the loser, as he is now at the mercy of the NCF because his earlier ban to compete internationally remains intact.