Mutorwa supports AN congress

MINISTER of Sport John Mutorwa says his ministry supports the proposed 29 March date when Athletics Namibia will hold its elective congress, but still stands by its decision of not providing any finance, material or logistical support in the meantime.

The Minister said in a statement yesterday that although top athletics individuals resolved last week that a congress would be held early next year, Government still maintains that support will only come to the body once “an accountable and responsible leadership is democratically and fairly elected in accordance with the AN constitution”. In a statement made on November 22, Mutorwa insisted that the congress must take place before the end of the year and said if that did not happen, Government would enforce the relevant provisions of Section 28 of the Namibia Sports Act, 2003 (Act number 12 of 2003).Last week, former Namibian sprint ace Frank Fredericks issued a statement saying that a successful meeting took place between him, AN president Alpha Kangueehi, some executive members, International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Africa Area representative Leonard Chuene and Quinton-Steele Botes.The meeting resolved to hold elections and look into the financial problems of the code, while they would also aim to address all the grievances that were raised by athletics structures and Government.Mutorwa said even though the AN, with the advice and assistance of the IAAF, could not hold their annual congress in October or November this year as per AN’s constitution, the Ministry of National Service, Youth, Sport and Culture was in principle supportive of the March congress.He said the Ministry and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), ere ready to assist with organising and preparations whenever requested by the organising committee.Earlier this year, affiliates of AN instituted a vote of no confidence in Kangueehi, which later sparked an outcry from the IAAF which instructed Government to reinstate him as president.The delegates who voted Kangueehi out asked the NSC to run the administrative affairs of the body temporarily until a new leadership had been formed.In a statement made on November 22, Mutorwa insisted that the congress must take place before the end of the year and said if that did not happen, Government would enforce the relevant provisions of Section 28 of the Namibia Sports Act, 2003 (Act number 12 of 2003).Last week, former Namibian sprint ace Frank Fredericks issued a statement saying that a successful meeting took place between him, AN president Alpha Kangueehi, some executive members, International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Africa Area representative Leonard Chuene and Quinton-Steele Botes.The meeting resolved to hold elections and look into the financial problems of the code, while they would also aim to address all the grievances that were raised by athletics structures and Government.Mutorwa said even though the AN, with the advice and assistance of the IAAF, could not hold their annual congress in October or November this year as per AN’s constitution, the Ministry of National Service, Youth, Sport and Culture was in principle supportive of the March congress.He said the Ministry and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), ere ready to assist with organising and preparations whenever requested by the organising committee.Earlier this year, affiliates of AN instituted a vote of no confidence in Kangueehi, which later sparked an outcry from the IAAF which instructed Government to reinstate him as president.The delegates who voted Kangueehi out asked the NSC to run the administrative affairs of the body temporarily until a new leadership had been formed.