…dismisses damning allegations
WINDHOEK – The Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) has become the latest victim to join the long list of sports organizations alleged to have failed to bring about transformation in the various sports codes in the country.
The school sports umbrella body is accused of failure to introduce black athletes to various sports codes at grassroots or school level since Namibia’s independence in 1990. In an exclusive interview with New Era Sports, a dismayed group of local sports administrators spoke openly and vent their frustrations over what they termed inadequate representation black athletes in white-dominated sports codes. They fingered the NSSU for failing to introduce transformation measures in predominantly white sports codes in most black schools, particularly at primary school level. The disgruntled members opined that the recent introduction of racial quotas in cricket after more than two decades of independence is a flagrant disregard of black athletes, adding that this practice is a dismal failure by umbrella sports bodies and government, as well as the NSSU, which they consider the chief culprit. In an effort to encourage more black cricketers to come through the ranks, local sports sponsors MTC, proposed the introduction of racial quotas, but this proposal fell on deaf ears with cricket authorities digging in their heels, despite having agreed to follow suit. The intransigence of Cricket Namibia eventually cost them the support and sponsorship by MTC.
The mandate of the NSSU is to develop and ensure the proper administration of all school sports, while ensuring that all sports codes are accessible to schools across the country. The NNSU is also expected to supervise the training and grooming of previously disadvantaged coaches in various disciplines. “You cannot tell me that in a population of about 80 percent blacks, cricket, golf, archery or any other previously white-dominated sports cannot produce even five cricketers or golfers of colour, it doesn’t make sense,” said an aggrieved administrator speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Quotas are ineffective and meaningless, because they are mostly introduced but no one monitors the implementation process and final results of this undertaking. Black athletes are hopelessly underrepresented in most sports codes, despite their natural ability to excel as can be attested in disciplines such as football, netball, athletics, boxing and to a certain extend rugby, but this is still not good enough,” charged another disgruntled complainant, also speaking on condition of anonymity. However, NSSU National Coordinator Solly Duiker, is having none of that and shot back claiming the union has since its establishment in 1991, done the best it could within the confines of its mandate and with a limited budget. Duiker adamantly refused to take the blame for the low representation of athletes from previously disadvantaged communities in the so-called ‘white sports codes’ and said instead that inadequate funding from government and other external factors are hampering schools sports development, as well as the conspicuous absence of black athletes in some sports codes.
“With a grant of about N$8 million, it’s really a massive challenge to achieve development and transformation targets in 14 regions within a short space of time. We are well aware of the challenges faced by athletes of colour, but trust me, the NSSU has done a remarkable job in various areas and currently caters for 12 sports codes at school level.” He said plans are in place to introduce sports such as swimming, golf, horse riding and archery among others in schools despite funding constraints. “Training and playing equipment for those sports are very expensive and the NSSU currently doesn’t have funds to buy such equipment, but plans are there to introduce them within the next two year or so,” he said.