2006-03-24Staff Report 2 "By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK While the entire country had their eyes pinned on President Hi-fikepunye Pohamba in awaiting the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle, the news of the month did not come from State House but instead from Soccer House with the announcement of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) President Petrus Damaseb's resignation. Although the resignation definitely came as a surprise to many football fans, many will not deny that Damaseb had on more than one occasion hinted that he might step down earlier than expected. The announcement of Damaseb's resignation was made at a hastily organised media briefing by the NFA public relations officer Beau Kauta in the capital. Speaking to New Era yesterday, Damaseb said his resignation was inevitable with the amount of workload since being appointed as Judge President almost two years ago. ""The workload has increased and just become unbearable and I could not afford to hold onto the two positions."" The former NFA president noted that his resignation was rejected twice before by the NFA Executive but this time around there was no way they could stop him. Damaseb added that he was not pushed but could also not wait for congress next year. ""Nobody can push me, I was not pushed and this is a voluntarily resignation."" According to the NFA spokesperson Beau Kauta, Damaseb resigned because his duties as the country's High Court Judge-President were demanding. Damaseb was appointed Judge-President of the High Court last year when he took over from the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Peter Shivute. Damaseb has been the NFA's longest serving president, having served seven years. He tendered his resignation at the recently held NFA executive meeting in Otjiwarongo where it was decided that Vice-President John Muinjo would serve as acting president. At a media briefing Wednesday Kauta said that in the absence of Muinjo, who resides in Otjiwarongo, executive member Kolbinian Amutenya will be acting as president until the NFA has its elective congress in 2007. The NFA will have its non-elective congress in July. NFA special adviser to NFA president Barry Rukoro said on enquiry that the resignation of Damaseb would not have any effect on his position as Vice-President of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), Appeal Board member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and member of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) Disciplinary Committee. Kauta, who single-handedly informed the media without any executive member present, said the N$40 million sponsorship from the Namibian Football Consortium (NFC) was one of Damaseb's success stories. He also said that during Damaseb's reign the NFA's administration had been transparent but did not elaborate more. ""The current NFA executive will continue where Damaseb has left off,"" said Kauta.' However, Kauta brushed off allegations that Damaseb resigned at a crucial time as the country is bidding for the 2010 African Nations Cup. It was not clear if Damaseb will continue serving as the chairman of the country's bidding commit-tee. - Additional Reporting Nampa" 2006-03-24Staff Report 2
