NFA accounts for pennies 

The financial statements of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) just received a clean bill of health, the body’s spokesperson, Isack Hamata, says.

The association’s audited financial report was presented and extensively scrutinised during its recent 33rd ordinary congress held in Windhoek.

Furthermore, the budget for the 2025/26 financial year was discussed and adopted.

“When the statements become available, they will be unqualified, meaning the NFA has received a clean bill as far as its financial statements are concerned,” Hamata told Desert Radio earlier this week.

“I think that is something you need to applaud. I may also clarify that that is for the period until the end of March 2024.”

Hamata said whoever led the process ensured financial prudence, although it is known that the NFA is not a profit-making institution.

“Every cent you get from people that support you, whether it is from the International Federation of Football Associations (Fifa), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Namibian government, sponsors and everybody else, you must account for that money,” he said.

“The audited financial statements will become public documents for everybody to see.”

While the NFA’s budget has been approved, it is worth noting that there is a need to embark on an aggressive campaign to make sure the federation secures funding for all the properties administered by the association.

“When I say properties, those are your leagues, national teams from junior to senior sides. None of those things are funded at the moment,” Hamata said.

“They do not have sponsors. We look at the government, Fifa and CAF for that funding. As we go into 2025, we need to make sure campaigning for resources becomes very aggressive.”

Some of the funds the NFA obtains is usually earmarked for specific projects and the association cannot use that for national teams.

Hamata said due to these “uncomfortable” realities, national teams now camp at the NFA’s Football House, and the association is looking for food sponsorships, among others.

“The NFA’s secretariat must make ensure there is money in the kitty for the national teams.”

NFA president Robert Shimooshili has presented an activity report, describing the activities his administration has undertaken, Hamata said.

Shimooshili also considered the engagements the NFA officials had and what benefits the association has derived from these.

He revealed that the executive council engaged with various local and regional council officials on the possibility of acquiring land from various town councils to build sport fields and offices on.