Short cleared of racism

THE Namibia Sport Commission on Tuesday announced that hockey coach Maryke Short had been cleared of racism following an investigation into the matter.

At a press conference the NSC, however, added that the Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) would be guided by the NSC in terms of following correct procedures with the appointment of coaches in future.

The NSC press release was a bit inconclusive grammatically, although chief administrator Fred Mwiya confirmed that Short had been cleared of all allegations of racism.

“We wish to announce that there has not been found whether a statement (written or orally) of racism towards any player, the coach or executives in all the circumstances investigated,” (sic) the statement read.

“However, the manner in which executives run hockey in the country suggests that there is a technical challenge with governance issues that we as NSC will need to support them in the future that area (sic),” it added.

It added that hockey was doing well as a code, but some elements required more improvement within the administration of hockey ‘;to avoid similar claims in the future as it is with other sport codes that are predominantly one race or tribe orientated in management or in a team.’;

The NSC said it would recommend policy actions to the ministry of sport for consideration to ensure that ‘;new policies are put in place to remedy any act of racism or form of discrimination in the future.’;

In this regard it said it had taken action by informing the NHU to withdraw the u16 team and to select a new team following proper procedures, while also being ‘;inclusive in nature to represent Namibia as a country.’;

The press conference brought to an end a two-month saga after Ruth Herunga had laid a complaint of racism by Short towards her daughter Liya, with the NSC.

Short said she had learnt from the ordeal.

“I felt I handled the situation well and I did not respond to a lot of accusations and threats I received on social media. I’;ve learnt from my mistakes, but I love hockey and I want to plough back into the development of hockey in Namibia,” she said.

Short’;s mother Marita said it was a very difficult time for Maryke.

“I want to thank the NHU for their support. It was a very difficult time for Maryke and she received death threats and demands for her to be deported, so I wonder if these people will now apologise,” she said.

Expanding on some of the incorrect procedures followed by the NHU, independent specialist assisting the NSC, John Kangowa, said the correct process to appoint a coach was not followed by the NHU.

“The appointment of the coach was unprocedural and all the consequences led to the tour being cancelled. The NHU must request clubs to submit names of coaches to the selectors, but that process wasn’;t followed,” he said.

NHU vice president for women, Marietta Stoffberg, however, refuted some of Kangowa’;s allegations.

“The vice president of the NHU, Coenie Wessels, is not in the country at the moment – he is in Argentina with Namibia’;s girls hockey team at the Olympic Youth Games, but if he was here I’;m sure he would have given proof that the correct procedures were followed.”

She, however, added that the whole process was a bit rushed due to time constraints.

“Zimbabwe asked us to come up with a team within two weeks so there were time constraints and we might have compromised the process. But we agree that everything should be procedural and transparent so we will work together with the NSC in this regard,” she said.

Stoffberg said that the tour had since been cancelled.

“The tour is off and there will not be an u16 or u18 tour to Zimbabwe this year.”

Regarding inclusivity in the sport, Stoffberg said they were working hard to try and promote it.

“Traditionally hockey was not played by all races, but we are trying hard to promote the love for hockey throughout Namibia. We have visited four regions per year for the past four years where we hold hockey clinics and train the teachers and distribute hockey sticks. But it takes time and we also have a financial problem, because all the tournaments are held in Windhoek and we need money to transport children from the other regions, but we will approach the NSC for assistance in this regard,” she said.

Regarding the inclusivity of teams, Kangowa said they had developed a framework that all sport federations would have to comply with in future.

“We have developed a government framework that all federations must comply with regarding the constitution of teams so as to address some of the imbalances of the past,” he said.