Otjiwarongo
In an effort to streamline operations newly appointed board members of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) knuckled down to some serious business.
The Commission resolved to patch up dozens of holes enshrined in the fragile Namibian Sports Act of 2003 with most of its content failing to sustain an aggressive onslaught from scrutiny by delegates and invited sports gurus at the Commission’s Sports Act Review retreat in Otjiwarongo last week.
It has been revealed that the initial Namibian Sports Commission Act was copied and pasted from the Australian Sports Act – primarily defined to suit and accommodate the needs of the kangaroo nation’s demographical expectations, certainly not in harmony with Namibia’s own aspirations.
The gathering sought to amend the Sports Act by inserting clear definitions applicable for Namibians, providing platforms for the portfolio ministry’s intervention in disputes with clear guidelines and policies addressing equitable representation and redress in sport and recreational activities, amongst other pertinent issues.
It was also proposed that government must have a constitutional obligation ensuring that good governance and accountability are observed by its subjects at all times.
Delegates also felt the need to insert certain clauses that would seek to redress previous inequalities in sports and recreation involvement by encouraging and enhancing mass participation, and ownership of previously and still disadvantaged communities on and off the field, including management and administration.
It has also been suggested to rephrase the position of the Commission’s accounting principal officer from Chief Administrator to that of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The burning issue of transformation topped the list of priorities at the two-day retreat attended by local sports heavyweights including the director of sports Sivuthe Katamba, Mathew Haikali (football) Werner Jeffery (Unam) and the president of the Namibia Olympic Movement, Abner “Big Daddy” Xoagub.
Should the Commission have its way the days of family sports where father, mother and their children, plus in-laws, would form members of a national team could well be numbered.
The gathering was in unison that families should not serve on national bodies or executive organs that would compromise their integrity, notably where close family members are eligible for selection for national teams, as such practice could amount to preferential treatment and questionable objectivity.
The Commission will also set strict requirements and subsequent standards for all its affiliates in order to ensure compliance with its expectations.
In the meantime, NSC will also set a barometer and appoint competent people with the appropriate expertise and knowledge to monitor the successful implementation of the programmes.
National colours will also undergo a facelift as the Commission wants to have a unified national emblem as opposed to the current status quo where every Dick, even Tom and never mind Harry wear whatever they choose as national colours.
More interestingly, the Commission wants the establishment of the long overdue National Sports Development Fund, making provision for the NSC to be directly funded by the treasury, just like any other government parastatal receiving funding from parliament.
The inevitable introduction of a Hall of Fame was also discussed at length to recognize deserving sports legends past and present, with their names to be engraved on the Hall of Fame wall.
Delegates felt that such a commendable undertaking will assist in yielding much needed commercial benefits for the accredited athletes and sports administrators.
All NSC affiliates’ constitutions must be in tandem with national reconciliation while failure to comply with the NSC statutes could result in the termination of membership of sports federations or umbrella bodies.
Amongst other pertinent issues debated was a proposal for the introduction of sports in the schools curriculum. The Commission also urges government and all stakeholders to commit themselves to the much-needed erection of a high performance centre (HPC) as a matter of urgency.