Think out of the box – Mwiya
NSC’s Freddy Mwiya urges local federations to think out of the box.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
The chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), Freddy Mwiya, says it is important for sport federations to commercialise their activities because funding might be a challenge in the future.
Mwiya was responding to a question from Namibian Sun as to what federations can do to improve various sport codes in the country in the coming year.
“They should think away and outside the box,” he replied.
In addition, Mwiya said that athletes’ welfare should take centre stage and those serving Namibian sportsmen and women should differentiate between a self-centred approach and having passion for sport, as without passion in sport one cannot deliver.
“Let us focus on athletes’ achievements. Leaders should come second or last. Athletes are the reason why we have sport. In addition, cheap politics should be rooted out and allow new brooms who have passion for sport to lead sport federations for greater heights,” said Mwiya.
Some of the sports codes that have been doing reasonably well over the years, on amateur and professional level, are boxing, rugby, horse racing, hockey, cycling and netball.
These codes are further aided by the injection of sponsorships totalling about N$67.8 million by corporate giant, MTC.
Mwiya’s sentiments were shared by the secretary-general of Netball Namibia, Imelda Nerongo, who said there should be more collaboration amongst federations.
“We all have brilliant ideas that could help grow each other. Even to the extent of sourcing funds through partnerships and joint projects, competitions and activities.
“We need to hand over the baton of succession smoothly. No infighting, as it brings long-term reputational damage, not only to the persons but the code and affects the players we claim to represent.
“We wish soccer and gymnastics well and hope for solutions. Lastly, we all need to take an athletes-first approach, whilst we teach our athletes to take have national pride above all. We have all learned that corporates invest after [success is achieved], so it’s up to us to prove that sports are a worthy investment,” concluded Nerongo.
WINDHOEK
The chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), Freddy Mwiya, says it is important for sport federations to commercialise their activities because funding might be a challenge in the future.
Mwiya was responding to a question from Namibian Sun as to what federations can do to improve various sport codes in the country in the coming year.
“They should think away and outside the box,” he replied.
In addition, Mwiya said that athletes’ welfare should take centre stage and those serving Namibian sportsmen and women should differentiate between a self-centred approach and having passion for sport, as without passion in sport one cannot deliver.
“Let us focus on athletes’ achievements. Leaders should come second or last. Athletes are the reason why we have sport. In addition, cheap politics should be rooted out and allow new brooms who have passion for sport to lead sport federations for greater heights,” said Mwiya.
Some of the sports codes that have been doing reasonably well over the years, on amateur and professional level, are boxing, rugby, horse racing, hockey, cycling and netball.
These codes are further aided by the injection of sponsorships totalling about N$67.8 million by corporate giant, MTC.
Mwiya’s sentiments were shared by the secretary-general of Netball Namibia, Imelda Nerongo, who said there should be more collaboration amongst federations.
“We all have brilliant ideas that could help grow each other. Even to the extent of sourcing funds through partnerships and joint projects, competitions and activities.
“We need to hand over the baton of succession smoothly. No infighting, as it brings long-term reputational damage, not only to the persons but the code and affects the players we claim to represent.
“We wish soccer and gymnastics well and hope for solutions. Lastly, we all need to take an athletes-first approach, whilst we teach our athletes to take have national pride above all. We have all learned that corporates invest after [success is achieved], so it’s up to us to prove that sports are a worthy investment,” concluded Nerongo.
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