Namibian football continues to be caught in a cycle of instability, struggling with issues that are both persistent and preventable. From referees going unpaid, to players earning substandard wages, and the women’s game being largely ignored. The current state of football is a far cry from what country rich in talent and natural resources should be experiencing.
Despite the incredible passion for the game across all regions of Namibia, our football structures remain alarmingly fragile. League seasons are frequently delayed or canceled due to a lack of sponsorship, denying players valuable game time, and robbing our national teams of the competitive edge needed before major international fixtures. The results, unfortunately, speak for themselves not because we lack talent but because our players are not given a fighting chance to shine.
Even more disheartening is the continued marginalisation of women’s football. Our female athletes show exceptional dedication with very little reward or recognition. In an age where gender equality should be more than just lip service, their exclusion from proper funding and media coverage is both unjust and unacceptable.
At the heart of these challenges lies a lack of consistent investment and strategic planning. We call on the Ministry of Education, Arts, Innovation, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with Her Excellency the President, to look into sustainable ways of directing a portion of our national wealth particularly from our natural resources towards sports development. Namibia is blessed with diamonds, uranium, fish, and other assets. If just a fraction of the proceeds from these resources were reinvested into youth and sports development, the transformation would be immediate and lasting. We are not calling for a financial overhaul or massive expenditure. It would not cost the government "an arm or a leg" to adequately support sports, especially when it is already part of the Swapo manifesto to empower the youth and promote social development through sport. All it takes is political will and a sense of national responsibility. Football is more than just a game. It is a tool for youth empowerment, job creation, nation-building, and even international diplomacy. By ignoring its potential, we are turning our backs on the very fabric that unites our people. It is time we begin treating football not as a burden but as the opportunity it truly is.
Namibia deserves better. Our players deserve better. The youth deserve better. And the time for change is now.
— Reinold #Goseb is the secretary general for the United Democratic Front Youth League