Otniel Hembapu
Netball Namibia (NN) vice president Rebekka /Goagoses yesterday strongly dismissed growing insinuations that her fellow board members of the local netball association are plotting to illegally extend their term of office.
/Goagoses was responding to ongoing grumbling by various member clubs of NN, especially those plying their trade in the MTC Netball Premier League.
Some member clubs are accusing the current board of wanting to overstay their term of office, saying the board’s recent letter sent to all NN members is enough proof to justify their growing worries as affiliates.
The board on 1 April sent a letter to all its 14 regional affiliates as well as its associate members, informing them of a board resolution to postpone this year’s elective annual general meeting (AGM) to either September or later this year.
It said: “We believe that the rescheduling [of the AGM] should not be seen in contravention of our constitutional provisions, and/or warrant an extension of the board’s term, as this will be the final board term of the elected. However, should members wish to follow through on Article 27.3, an online process can be facilitated. Therefore, members with concerns are kindly requested to submit their views on the regional letterheads for consideration.”
With NN’s financial year having ended last month, the association’s 2022 elective AGM was initially scheduled for next month. But given the number of pending major projects and crucial sponsorship deals that still need to be tightened, the board wrote to the members to ask for the postponement of the AGM while they wind up all unfinished ventures.
Among the many significant projects and deals the current board wants to finish before vacating office is the highly-important Debmarine sponsorship agreement, and the construction of a new world-class national netball venue, which will be done in conjunction with various partners.
The smooth and unhindered facilitation of ongoing competitions, projects and activities of NN count among the concerning points for the current board, which has also indicated that preparations of the national teams for this year’s Africa World Cup qualifiers are another major concern that can’t be left unattended.
“I’m quite surprised to hear that there are some members who are not happy with our decision to move the AGM to a later date because the last time we checked, all our members were in full agreement with us finishing those very important projects before we hand over. It is important to understand that sponsorships come with relationships that are delicately built over years of hard work and mutual respect. Debmarine and MTC are our key partners, and they have helped put NN and local netball where it is today. So, those are relationships we need to preserve as a body. We just want to make sure we tighten all loose ends and leave these important partners of ours in good hands. To the contrary, we have no plans or intentions to overstay. Not at all,” said /Goagoses when asked for further comment.
“But we know who is behind the ongoing letters that are being leaked to the media. Those are people who want leadership positions in NN, and can’t wait for us to leave. But we have said, give us a few months so that we leave all planned projects and sponsorship deals in good hands, and also provide them with a clear roadmap on which the next leadership can build. That’s all we are saying. But people are desperate, and don’t even care about hurting the NN brand.”
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na