From the Sidelines: FNB, NFA disappoint

THE standoff between the Namibia Football Association (NFA) and First National Bank (FNB) this week was so embarrassing that I simply did not understand who was right or wrong.

These two bodies are in partnership in developing the game at the lower level and improving it at premiership and national level, but those ideals just fell apart on Tuesday evening. Despite the Namibia Football Consortium consisting of three companies who inject the needed millions into football each year, the stance by the NFA not to release the Brave Warriors for the FNB Cup launch was strange.It was also unusual from the bank not to have formally requested the team to perform on their cup launch.The bank argues that it was an ideal opportunity to give the players a stretch on the park after being in camp for about a week, but the bank seemingly did not apply for permission for the players to be released.The association says that they only learnt about the wishes of FNB to have the team on Tuesday through the media and were never consulted.Now, if the bank did not put through a formal request, why was it so difficult for the NFA to ask the bank to put their request in writing before granting permission? And why did the bank refuse or fail to put their request in writing, because the two parties could still have resolved the issue on Monday evening.Of course there are inside politics within these bodies and some boil down to personality clashes.It was evident in the speech by the FNB boss Vekuii Rukoro that he was fed-up with the attitude and possibly the management style of some football officials.This was underlined by his words that some people take decisions without bearing the consequences in mind.It simply means that the NFA or the officials involved do not realise that whatever decisions they take in disregard of their sponsors might lead to their (NFA) downfall.Rukoro put it simply, saying that the NFA had cut his own nose by taking such a decision, but that did not necessarily mean that FNB will stop its football sponsorship.Rukoro said that was it.They will now move on.Relations between the two parties have been frosty, judging from the painful and rather long negotiations they had on the increase of money for the premier league teams and various other issues.The NFC had committed itself to N$8 million a year, but with rising costs, there was a need for the NFA to push for more cash and that was not well received by the consortium.All these aspects, coupled with personality clashes in the hierarchy, have led to the Warriors not playing on the night and there is still more to come.In fact, there are deeper clashes between these parties which will one day surface, but, the Tuesday incident did not bring out the right attitude from both parties.The bottom line is that the two parties have dealt with each for years now and it was unacceptable for either of them to act in such a manner.The NFA should know that the sponsors are their bread and butter and the association has to work in a way that satisfies the sponsors instead of upsetting them, irrespective of the situation or demands.They can draw a line, but that should be one understandable to the sponsors.The sponsors can also not just demand and expect instant delivery, but should realise that the NFA conducts its business the way the bank does.You queue up and wait for your chance in the bank, so the NFA argues that one cannot invite everyone to a party if you have not booked a venue.No one wants his toes to be stepped on in his own territory.In this case, both parties jumped on each other’s toes.In the process, the spectator suffered as these individuals could simply not bury their egos and agree on a common goal, despite being partners in the game.Shame.Despite the Namibia Football Consortium consisting of three companies who inject the needed millions into football each year, the stance by the NFA not to release the Brave Warriors for the FNB Cup launch was strange.It was also unusual from the bank not to have formally requested the team to perform on their cup launch.The bank argues that it was an ideal opportunity to give the players a stretch on the park after being in camp for about a week, but the bank seemingly did not apply for permission for the players to be released.The association says that they only learnt about the wishes of FNB to have the team on Tuesday through the media and were never consulted.Now, if the bank did not put through a formal request, why was it so difficult for the NFA to ask the bank to put their request in writing before granting permission? And why did the bank refuse or fail to put their request in writing, because the two parties could still have resolved the issue on Monday evening.Of course there are inside politics within these bodies and some boil down to personality clashes.It was evident in the speech by the FNB boss Vekuii Rukoro that he was fed-up with the attitude and possibly the management style of some football officials.This was underlined by his words that some people take decisions without bearing the consequences in mind.It simply means that the NFA or the officials involved do not realise that whatever decisions they take in disregard of their sponsors might lead to their (NFA) downfall.Rukoro put it simply, saying that the NFA had cut his own nose by taking such a decision, but that did not necessarily mean that FNB will stop its football sponsorship.Rukoro said that was it.They will now move on.Relations between the two parties have been frosty, judging from the painful and rather long negotiations they had on the increase of money for the premier league teams and various other issues.The NFC had committed itself to N$8 million a year, but with rising costs, there was a need for the NFA to push for more cash and that was not well received by the consortium.All these aspects, coupled with personality clashes in the hierarchy, have led to the Warriors not playing on the night and there is still more to come.In fact, there are deeper clashes between these parties which will one day surface, but, the Tuesday incident did not bring out the right attitude from both parties.The bottom line is that the two parties have dealt with each for years now and it was unacceptable for either of them to act in such a manner.The NFA should know that the sponsors are their bread and butter and the association has to work in a way that satisfies the sponsors instead of upsetting them, irrespective of the situation or demands.They can draw a line, but that should be one understandable to the sponsors.The sponsors can also not just demand and expect instant delivery, but should realise that the NFA conducts its business the way the bank does.You queue up and wait for your chance in the bank, so the NFA argues that one cannot invite everyone to a party if you have not booked a venue.No one wants his toes to be stepped on in his own territory.In this case, both parties jumped on each other’s toes.In the process, the spectator suffered as these individuals could simply not bury their egos and agree on a common goal, despite being partners in the game.Shame.