WINDHOEK – There is an old saying that those who could play the game should be left with the luxury of going unhindered about strutting their business of chasing the inflated pigskin on the football pitch while those with limited abilities would become referees.
Although he showed some great skills during the small stake games during the school interval doing all sorts of tricks with a tennis ball glued to his feet – Ben never managed to enter the game at competitive level.
His involvement in the beautiful game developed quite late in his formative years, as it was only when he enrolled at the Augustineum High School in Windhoek that he started taking an interest in sport activities.
Strangle, he started flirting with trading leather in the boxing ring where he proved to be an astute boxer in the bantamweight division. He soon ran out of decent opponents with the late Blackie Katjimune (Totii Hanavi’s elder brother) his regular opponent.
It was not long before Uanivi turned his attention to the beautiful game joining forces with a club at campus Rocking Stars FC, majority of whose playing personnel hailed from the eastern region (Omaheke).
However, the brother was struggling a bit for game time but could at least take solace in the knowledge that his administrative abilities would serve him handsomely and rather chose to take that route serving the club with a certain measure of distinction.
It was more or less the same period that a group of enthusiasts but averaged footballers from the east (Epukiro) residing in the Katutura township resolved to call a team into life, which they baptised Hungry Lions. He teamed up with the likes of Zebaldt Uazenga, Kumbee Samora Tjizera, DCK Kamatjipose, Turi Murise, Sackey Kaveuka Marenga, Uanee Mundjua, Shakes Kandenge, Seth Kambato, Jomo Tjatindi.
After a few cameo roles wearing the famous No. 10 jersey in the company of journeymen athletes, Uanivi finally called it quits to concentrate on the administrative side of things.
The team’s original colours were red and black but they were later changed to maroon and white after they cleverly brainwashed Young Terrors to cede the colours to big brother together with a nice set of playing gear via a bit of shrewd wangling through the sweet tongue of Molakes Murorua.
In a bid to strengthen the playing personnel, he immediately set off and shipped off the majority of the players recruiting Shakes Kandenge, John Kaahangoro, Kendrik Moi Kahuure, Jomo Tjiveta, Ben Njanjone, Siegfried Ngeendepi, Andrew Korupanda, Safe Kariko, Godwin Kaume Katjipuka, Fritz Ndjavera, Billy Tuahepa, Groovy Kaahangoro, Jeremiah Koutumbo Karumendu, Obed Moripe Muundjua, Five Korupanda, Popele Kamatoto, Veraa Katuuo and Marongo Veii, among others.
Hungry Lions became much stronger and competed fiercely against tough lower division teams led by Acrow Chiefs, Eastern Jumpers, Groovy Lions, including the highly competitive second strings of Black Africa, Tigers, Orlando Pirates, African Stars and Ramblers (Katutura).
Under his mentorship, Hungry Lions went from strength to strength and became a major force to be reckoned with, winning several knockout tournaments in towns such as Gobabis, Okakarara and Windhoek.
The team regularly toured Omaruru, Rehoboth, Okahandja, Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein where they gave a good account of themselves in high profile tournaments.
The shrewd football mentor was solely responsible for luring the following top-class footballers to the lions’ den: Foresta Nicodemus, Teenage Mwashekele, Kallie Bullower, Shabby Rukero, Ringo Skrywer, Five Kandingua, Bernard Newmann, Justice Basson, Mike Ochurub, Ringo Skrywer, Jeff “Skunk” Tjitemisa, Sebastian Hange, Lesley Basson, Lappies Lamperloth, Steve Kavari, Hauii Kamaundju, Lucky Gawanab, Muuonge Katjihingua, John Katjaita, Gideon Gurirab, Efraim Dawids, Shoe-Shine Kamanda, Dorich Tjerivanga, Issy Murangi, Celle Tjivikua, Godwin Muvangua (roasted chicken), Mandla Kaizemi and Bobby Tjiho, who all went on to become much-sought after commodities in domestic football.
Apart from steering his beloved maroon and white-stripped outfit to promotion into the highly competitive Central Division One League in 1983, Uanivi played a pivotal role by instilling a sense of professionalism, dignity and respect into his protégés – including a long-lasting element of camaraderie evidenced by the unsurpassed unity currently so freely displayed by the club’s former stalwarts.
Arguably the country’s most respected whistle-blower of his generation, the late Uanivi would tirelessly juggle his administrative functions with refereeing. His excellent style of refereeing did not go unnoticed and he was elevated to the prestigious annual South African Provincial Currie Cup.
He would always accompany the SWA football team to neigbouring South Africa on numerious occasions where he came out with flying colours. He regularly officiated in high profile exhibition matches involving top professional visiting teams from South Africa.
Uanivi, an organic intellectual, benefited immensely from his involvement in these particular encounters to the extent that he rose to the plum position of chairperson of the Central Referees Committee. He later held the same portfolio at the National Referees Committee after Namibia’s democracy – a position he held until his untimely death in August 2002.
We salute this great son of the soil – may his soul rest in peace.