Chairperson of the Ongos Ladies’ team Monica Shapwa said offering players professional contracts and accommodation is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between the ladies’ team and their male counterparts.

Last week, the team announced they are the first women’s football club to offer their players professional contracts and salaries. 

This started during the 2023/24 season, which saw the team clinch the title without losing a match.

Shapwa, who is also the chairperson of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women’s Football Desk, added that they have already started distributing new contracts for the upcoming season.

“All our players received contracts and earned salaries during the previous season, and we are still in the process of giving them new ones for the upcoming season. I think the decision is to bridge the gap between the ladies’ team and the men’s team, which already has contracts,” she said.

Also, news has been circulating that part of the contract will see players being accommodated at their gated estate community. 

Commenting on that, Shapwa said “Yes, those players who aren’t from Windhoek will be accommodated in the estate, but now we provide accommodation allowances to those who are not from Windhoek, and we also provide them with taxi money to move from training back to their houses, just to make things convenient for them”.

In terms of what motivated the decision, she said “We want to ensure equal treatment for both the male and female teams. We are also trendsetters, and it’s only right that the players receive professional contracts. From now on, they will have to fully focus on playing for the team. We have a busy schedule coming up”.

Ongos Ladies were crowned champions of the First National Bank Women’s Super League this year after ending the season without a loss. 

They are currently preparing to partake in this year’s Caf Women’s Champions League later this year. 

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na