Netball leaders eye another term
… as regions are ready to oppose
CURRENT leaders at Netball Namibia (NN) have not ruled out re-election in office, even though the new Namibia Sports Commission constitutional and regulatory framework prohibits them from standing for re-election. In May this year NN will be holding its elective congress where new leaders would be elected into power to spearhead netball to greater heights.
Two weeks ago, NN held its Annual General Meeting in Windhoek where the current leadership was reportedly lobbying for an amendment to the constitution to allow them to stand for re-election, however such an attempt was shut down by its members.
Even if NN is to amend its constitution this will not go in-line with the NSC’s new constitutional and regulatory framework that is in compliance with general good governance principles, with the aim of professionalising sport, and adhere to the Namibia Sports Act.
The Namibia Sports Act no.12 of 2003 states that the term of service for each office on the executive committee may not exceed a total of, consecutive or and not of two terms, or alternatively 10 calendar years. The Act also stipulates that no person shall serve as a member of the executive council in more than one position so as to exceed the above term limit.
NN is currently spearheaded by long serving leaders Lydia Mutenda (president), vice-president for marketing, sponsorship, public relations and competitions Rebekka //Goagoses, vice president for development Isadore Nel and secretary-general Imelda Nerongo, who have all been holding various executive positions within NN for years and if elected once again, their terms in office will exceed the 10-year tenure. The possibility of a re-election has not
been welcomed by some regional members who feel that a change in leadership is required.
Poppies Sekwata of //Karas Region has said that NN has other members who are capable of doing a better job than the
current team.
“We need new people because they (current leadership) have done already what they were required to do, so we need to give other people a chance so that at the end of the day we compare the two,” said Sekwata.
Chairperson of the Hardap netball league, Blossom Jacobs also concurred with Sekwata, saying that a new regime is needed.
She also lashed out at current leaders for failing to account for the missing annual grant from Debmarine Namibia towards NN as part of a three-year-sponsorship between the two parties that will see each region getting N$10 000 for development.
“I personally did not attend the meeting because I had to attend a funeral, but I have read on a group chat that the current leaders are plotting to lobby for a new term. I will not support the current leaders to go for another term because they have failed to address even small issues such as the N$10 000 that went missing before I was elected as chairperson. Another amount that is still missing is the N 000 from the //Karas Region,” said Jacobs.
In response to a possibility of re-election of the current leaders at the May elective congress, NN secretary-general Imelda Nerongo told Confidente Sports that it is only the regions who can decide on the matter.
“The current leaders have managed to bring lots of changes to netball, notably the establishment of the MTC Netball Namibia Premier League that will be sponsored by MTC and the women senior netball team success of the 2019 M1 Nations Cup triumph in Singapore, being their biggest achievements to date.
“As far as we are concerned, our term is coming to an end this year and all positions are up for re-election. In reference to an additional term that is up to the regions to decide and to the current portfolio holders to decide if they will be willing to serve on within constitutional provisions.”
Nerongo also dismissed claims of missing funds.
“With reference to missing money, please educate us … as we are not aware. It is not missing money, it was N$7 000 direct deposit from a sponsor to the region (//Karas) to travel to part-take in a tournament … they never showed up.”
NSC chief administrator, Freddy Mwiya has warned any federation that tries to undermine the Sports Act.
“The constitution of NN should not be there to protect or extend the terms of office for those that have already surpassed the 10-year period,” said Mwiya.