Clubs welcome government’s N$10 million
Football
Namibia Premier League football club owners and stakeholders in football circles have welcomed the N$10 million the government has pledged towards the start of the upcoming league season.
This follows sports deputy minister Dino Ballotti’s announcement in parliament last week that the government will provide the Namibia Football Association (NFA) with N$10 million to kick-start the league.
Okahandja United owner Congo Hindjou said the move by government is commendable, given the current state of football in the country.
“I think the fact that the government has decided to step in is a good gesture from them.
“It is important that football resumes, because every other league in the world has already started,” he said.
Clubs had initially hoped for the league to resume with a larger sponsorship of at least N$30 million for a properly funded season.
As things stand, only the government has pledged funds and it is not clear if any additional sponsors will come on board.
“I think one of the questions we can clearly ask is: if the N$10 million comes, what will happen to the lower divisions and all?
“However, I still think this is a positive move and we hope that more sponsors will come on board,” Hindjou added.
Football consultant and unionist Olsen Kahiriri also lauded the government for the initiative.
Kahiriri, however, feels that the government should be able to give more than just N$10 million as far as supporting football is concerned.
“It is the first time we have seen the government investing such an amount into the football league.
“I think this should serve as encouragement to companies and parastatals to inject more money into football.
“We know that football is a unifier and that is why it is important to have companies investing in the sport,” Kahiriri said.
The views shared by Hindjou and Kahiriri were echoed by other football clubs in the country.
For many, there is hope that there might be light at the end of a dark football tunnel.
The clubs are, however, concerned about the amount, urging the NFA to seek further funding.
One club owner, who chose to remain anonymous, praised the government for the gesture, but sought clarity on the process.
“It would be stupid not to be grateful for what the government has initiated, because there is at least a glimpse of hope for the start of football.
“I will, however, ask the same question as to whom this N$10 million will be given and whether it is enough to start football in general.
“The league was operating on an N$18 million budget per season and now there is only N$10 million.
“This means there is still more work to be done and football is not out of the woods yet,” the club owner said.
When contacted on the matter, sports deputy minister Ballotti yesterday said he was unable to reveal details on how the transactions would be done, but would revert as soon as all matters are in order.
“We met this morning about the above-mentioned issue and the ministry will pronounce itself soonest.
“At this time, I am unfortunately not able to share more,” he said.
League on hold
The country’s top-flight competition currently has no sponsor after former backers Debmarine Namibia withdrew. Debmarine initially came to the league’s rescue during the 2022-2023 season, spending an aggregate of about N$50 million up to the completion of the 2024-2025 campaign.
However, the company has since come under financial pressure due to a downturn in the diamond-mining sector.
Demand for natural diamonds has decreased amid the rise of lab-grown stones and falling prices have impacted the company’s growth. Lower production has resulted in subdued financial performance and a 38% drop in revenue during 2024, according to reporting.
This follows sports deputy minister Dino Ballotti’s announcement in parliament last week that the government will provide the Namibia Football Association (NFA) with N$10 million to kick-start the league.
Okahandja United owner Congo Hindjou said the move by government is commendable, given the current state of football in the country.
“I think the fact that the government has decided to step in is a good gesture from them.
“It is important that football resumes, because every other league in the world has already started,” he said.
Clubs had initially hoped for the league to resume with a larger sponsorship of at least N$30 million for a properly funded season.
As things stand, only the government has pledged funds and it is not clear if any additional sponsors will come on board.
“I think one of the questions we can clearly ask is: if the N$10 million comes, what will happen to the lower divisions and all?
“However, I still think this is a positive move and we hope that more sponsors will come on board,” Hindjou added.
Football consultant and unionist Olsen Kahiriri also lauded the government for the initiative.
Kahiriri, however, feels that the government should be able to give more than just N$10 million as far as supporting football is concerned.
“It is the first time we have seen the government investing such an amount into the football league.
“I think this should serve as encouragement to companies and parastatals to inject more money into football.
“We know that football is a unifier and that is why it is important to have companies investing in the sport,” Kahiriri said.
The views shared by Hindjou and Kahiriri were echoed by other football clubs in the country.
For many, there is hope that there might be light at the end of a dark football tunnel.
The clubs are, however, concerned about the amount, urging the NFA to seek further funding.
One club owner, who chose to remain anonymous, praised the government for the gesture, but sought clarity on the process.
“It would be stupid not to be grateful for what the government has initiated, because there is at least a glimpse of hope for the start of football.
“I will, however, ask the same question as to whom this N$10 million will be given and whether it is enough to start football in general.
“The league was operating on an N$18 million budget per season and now there is only N$10 million.
“This means there is still more work to be done and football is not out of the woods yet,” the club owner said.
When contacted on the matter, sports deputy minister Ballotti yesterday said he was unable to reveal details on how the transactions would be done, but would revert as soon as all matters are in order.
“We met this morning about the above-mentioned issue and the ministry will pronounce itself soonest.
“At this time, I am unfortunately not able to share more,” he said.
League on hold
The country’s top-flight competition currently has no sponsor after former backers Debmarine Namibia withdrew. Debmarine initially came to the league’s rescue during the 2022-2023 season, spending an aggregate of about N$50 million up to the completion of the 2024-2025 campaign.
However, the company has since come under financial pressure due to a downturn in the diamond-mining sector.
Demand for natural diamonds has decreased amid the rise of lab-grown stones and falling prices have impacted the company’s growth. Lower production has resulted in subdued financial performance and a 38% drop in revenue during 2024, according to reporting.
Kommentaar
Republikein
Geen kommentaar is op hierdie artikel gelaat nie