About a year after a botched Birmingham trip on which hordes of Namibians lost thousands of dollars in the hope of attending the Commonwealth Games, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) councillor Vezemba Katjaimo is at it again.
The councillor is now planning a trip to the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament in Ivory Coast following Namibia’s qualification for the spectacle this week. The tournament will take place in January and February next year. Last year Katjaimo’s failed trip to the United Kingdom (UK) saw him being suspended from the party and his activities as councillor for the Katutura Central constituency for six months.
Yesterday, however, the politician confirmed that his agency, VRK Sports Management, is harbouring plans to usher local soccer fanatics to the tournament.
The announcement appeared on his social media page this week.
“As the Brave Warriors have successfully qualified for their fourth-ever Afcon tournament, it is an opportune moment for our football-loving nation to unite in support of our national team.
“As a qualified sports practitioner representing VRK Sport Management, we are excited to announce that we will be organising comprehensive packages for Namibian fans who wish to accompany our team,” he wrote.
Katjaimo said he is in discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Speaking to The Namibian at the height of last year’s controversy he said: “We bought slots for 198 young people to watch the games, totalling N$5,3 million, and bought airline tickets through Satguru traveling agency and Trip Travel, totalling N$5,2 million. The total cost was N$10,5 million.” The trip was, however viewed by immigration officials as having been a deliberate ploy through which hordes of Namibians were planning to infiltrate the borders of the UK to seek asylum.
The supposed participants have since received part of their refunds, according to the councillor.
SPORT BUSINESS
Katjaimo yesterday confirmed the recent social media invitation.
“This time it will be organised via VRK Sports Management and a private event management agency. I will not be directly involved,” he said.
“People should understand that this is the business side of sport, and I am a trained sport management practitioner. In fact, I am empowering young Namibians through these projects,” Katjaimo said, adding he plans to take Namibians to the Olympic Games next year. He said he is still awaiting CAF’s response.
In the interim, he said, he is planning to approach the Namibian Football Association (NFA) “to find out exactly who is exclusively responsible for the Namibian packages”.
“One needs to know the industry to understand what I am talking about. For example, the NBC will not just broadcast this event without obtaining broadcast rights, and the same goes for ticket sales,” Katjaimo said.
Last month, he issued an apology in which he described the “halting” of the UK trip by the authorities as “shattered aspirations and crushed dreams”.
‘NO COMMENT’
Yesterday, PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said: “I have no comment at this point, because I do not know what is going on.
“Allow me time to speak to the councillour and then the party will pronounce its position on the issue.”
The chief regional officer at the Khomas Regional Council, Clement Mafwila, said his office is yet to get detailed information on the planned project, and distanced the council from the venture.
“I can safely confirm that the regional council is not involved. However, we care about the reputation of the council and will thus consult with the councillour to establish what is going on,” he said.
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