Zebalt Ngaruka
The peaceful march planned by Young African FC, the premier league football team from the Omaheke region, has been put on hold due to intervention from regional leadership.
The demonstration was set to occur yesterday, s t ar t i ng from Legare Stadium and ending at Gobabis Municipality.
E a r l i e r i n S e p t e m b e r , t h e Go b a b is Mu n i c i p a l i t y announced the closure of Legare S t a d iu m to facilitate recovery until 30 November. This dec i s i on was welcomed by stakeholders, who agreed that the stadium had been overused and the closure was necessary.
In a turn of events, African’s c h a i r p e r s o n , Maleagi Ngarizemo, wrote to the Gobabis Municipality requesting the use of Field B for training purposes. However, the municipality denied this request, prompting the planned demonstration.
He expressed his belief that Field B had recovered enough to be suitable for training.
The team is currently training in the bushes and running along highways, which he feels is being overlooked by the municipality. The chairman indicated that he had made several attempts to engage with municipal management on this issue but felt unheard.
He expressed concern over a potential political motive behind the municipality’s decision regarding field recovery, and emphasised the importance of support for the team, which represents the region in the top-flight league. He argued that access to Field B is crucial for the team’s preparation, as training delays could disadvantage them against other premier league teams.
Ngarizemo highlighted that African should be viewed as a development partner by the municipality and regional government. He pointed out that the team employs players and contributes to the local economy through match-related activities.
He compared the situation to teams in neighbouring South Africa, like Polokwane and Cape Town City, which receive local government support due to their recognised value.
Fo l l o w i n g a mee ting on Tuesday afternoon with the Gobabis Mu n i c i p a l i t y, the club decided to postpone the demonstration after intervention from Omaheke Chief Regional Officer Peka Semba.
S emb a wi l l lead negotiations betweenthecluband the municipality, with involvement from the regional g o v e r n o r , c o n s t i t u e n c y councillors, and the president of the Namibia Football Association, Robert Shimooshili.
Municipality spokesperson Frederick Takulu Ueitele acknowledged awareness of the planned demonstration but stated that deliberations would not begin until the petition was received and reviewed. He dismissed allegations from Ngarizemo regarding personal vendettas against the team as unfounded.
Ueitele stated that the municipality had offered the club a pitch without grass at the Legare complex, which the team declined. He questioned why the club wouldn’t train temporarily on a ground field, given that other teams have managed similar circumstances.
He also refuted claims regarding the recovery of Field B, noting that seeds had recently been planted and that it would be unsuitable for use until it grew and recovered as intended. Ueitele emphasised that the stadium’s temporary closure is a long-term solution to ensure facilities meet higher standards, and that allowing the field to deteriorate could result in it being deemed unfit for premier league games by the NFA.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com