Whilst we must applaud the hastily scrambled together executive committee of the country’s elite football league, the Namibia Premier League (NPL) under the shrewd stewardship of Patrick Kauta, for the smooth sailing manner in which they conducted business, yours truly is obliged to send a word of caution against complacency.
Our football is still faced with the same problems and without beating about the bush – the serial sight of empty seats at major league games is a serious cause of concern and until such time remedial measures are put in place to arrest this eyesore occurrence, the game will remain a joke in the eyes of many, including potential investors.
It’s very disturbing watching countries such as troubled Zimbabwe, Kenya and Zambia, having their matches broadcast live on Supersports channels or their respective television stations, but with Namibia nowhere to be found.
It’s now a well-documented secret that live broadcast of football matches contributes to the main revenue streams for national football leagues across the world.
It’s a pity that our football bosses have their eyes firmly cast on television while at the same time gravely ignoring the amazing power of live radio broadcasts. It should be noted that radio is the most essential vehicle of information.
Hello, a child must first crawl and then walk before he or she starts running. Let us exploit live radio broadcasts before entering television, which in any way reaches much lesser audience than radio, which in turn enjoys a wider reach in terms of footprints, let alone immediacy.
It’s incumbent upon the NPL hierarchy to appoint blokes with appropriate expertise and knowledge to sensitize the seemingly permanently unresolved issue of broadcasting rights for local football matches with the relevant authorities.
People are so mistakenly occupied with television - forgetting the powerful impact of radio just because of the visual aspect of the project. To my learned colleagues at football house, wake up and smell the java, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!!.
Welwitschias have the ball at their feet
As our national rugby fifteen step into the field to clear the final hurdle en route to their sixth successive World Cup appearance – the boys need the support of each and every patriotic Namibian when they welcome Kenya in the penultimate World Cup qualifier at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
It should also be noted that victory would propel the Welwitschias to be crowned continental champions since the World Cup qualifiers also serve as Africa Gold Cup winners.
Statistics favour the hosts and nothing would make the win more satisfying and sweeter than playing in front of a fired-up home crowd. Let us all go out in large numbers and shout our lungs out for the pride of the nation.
A final word of caution – this will be Namibia’s sixth consecutive appearance at the global showpiece but the fact that we are yet to win a match at the World Cup after numerous attempts is cause for concern.
The authorities should roll up their sleeves and ensure the team is well taken care of during preparations – leading to next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Given the fragile financial position of the NRU, the country’s sports governing body and the portfolio ministry must avail funds that would free the team to engage in competitive warm-up matches against top rugby playing nations if we are to avoid being the whipping boys for the umpteenth time in the month-long tournament. I rest my case.