Zebaldt Ngaruka 

Gobabis-based Debmarine Premiership outfit Young African FC have momentarily relocated to Windhoek to prepare for the upcoming season, as the Legare stadium in Gobabis remains closed due to maintenance. 

Club chairperson Maleagi Ngarizemo said they have decided to move to the capital to accord players a conducive environment where they can train, and optimally prepare for the upcoming season.

The club has initially requested the Gobabis municipality to avail field B of the Legare stadium for training while the main field undergoes maintenance, but their request was not granted approval. 

“We have to move on. We can’t be held back by a deliberate move by municipality employees who are just jealous, and using Swapo internal fights to personally get me out of the town,” he claimed.

Asked about the costs of relocating an entire team to Windhoek, Ngarizemo said it will be 50/50 or maybe more, but they have no choice. 

Earlier, the club had revealed that expenses of travelling from Gobabis to Windhoek are around N$12 000.

The team cancelled two of its demonstrations planned to show their unhappiness about the municipality’s decision. The cancellation of the planned demonstrations was due to the intervention of the regional leadership.

Meanwhile, Gobabis mayor Melba Tjozongoro told this publication that the progress at Legare Stadium is ongoing, but the field was heavily destroyed. 

“Our workers planted seeds, de-wormed, the fertilisers were added, and we are waiting to see the progress,” she said. 

The mayor added that they are replanting seeds at field B, and parts of field A look good.

“Our stadium has become uneven, bumpy, and there are holes in some parts, and that has to be levelled. The aim is to bring the stadium to its best, and keep its standard,” she added. 

Tjozongoro further said Young African will be allowed to use the field once it recovers, and that the usual procedures will be followed to secure access to the field. 

“We are aware that Young African must play its home ground matches in a good field for us to be proud. Also, we are doing this for the entire users of the field as well,” Tjozongoro noted.

Tjozongoro said the municipality’s support towards Young African is unquestionable.

“That’s why we allocated four hectares of land for them to develop at a reasonable fee. We hope they will get funds to develop their area so that we can work together,” said the mayor. 

Currently, the municipality availed field C at the Legare stadium to be used for political rallies and local community football tournaments as an alternative while the stadium is recovering.

The netball courts are not affected by the closure as they remain open for use.

-zngaruka@yahoo.com