Tomas Nehale
Sport promotes physical and mental well-being. Sport has the ability to inspire people and ultimately change the world. It unites people in a sense that few other things can. Most importantly, sport restores hope - where there was despair.
The much-anticipated Debmarine Namibia Premiership got underway last weekend. We saw numerous football aficionados and enthusiasts flocking to various stadiums in unison to support their beloved football clubs. One could tell that the nation was ravenous for football, especially in the north.
The game between the northern behemoth, Eeshoke Chula Chula and Mighty Gunners at the Oshakati Independence Stadium clearly demonstrated this. I believe that was the first time in history that the Oshakati Independence Stadium was full to capacity, with an estimated 18 000 supporters in attendance. Indeed, the pitch and the atmosphere were euphorically electrified.
On the other side of the coin, the 2022/2023 champions, African Stars - seem to be in good shape and still look hungry as they effortlessly won 3-1 against Orlando Pirates. Eeshoke Chula Chula, Khomas Nampol and Okakakara Young Warriors are the new kids on the block. Eeshoke Chula Chula and Khomas Nampol won their first premier league game, albeit Okakakara Young Warriors suffered a 3-1 defeat by the Blue Waters of Walvis Bay.
Generally, the first round of Debmarine Namibia Premiership unfolded very well and showed that the future of the league looks promisingly fertile. Most of the teams are reshaped and reshuffled by releasing and signing new players in order to have preferred weapons to battle for the title.
The football industry in Namibia has a socioeconomic impact on the general populace. This means that football provides a living for players, coaches, match officials, caterers and vendors. The income derived from football allows them to feed their families and pay their bills. Sport in general keeps most individuals busy, focused and fit, rather than participating in profane activities like thieving and abusing alcohol.
As we all know, football in Namibia had been temporarily at halt due to some squabbles and Covid-19 outbreak.
With the intervention of Debmarine as a core sponsor of the Namibia Premier League - football is now resuscitated. Owing to this, the Premier League also aided the national team to identify and pick the best players from different clubs. As a result, this has helped, in one way or the other, the Brave Warriors of Namibia to qualify for 2023 Afcon. Aren’t all these generous efforts worth appreciation?
In a nutshell, Debmarine in conjunction with NFA should be appreciated for exorbitantly injecting millions of dollars to revive football in the country. As a nation, let’s be grateful for what we have, because we will eventually have more. If we focus on what we do not have, we will never have enough.
*Tomas Nehale is a football aficionado.