Fifa Normalisation Committee (NC) chairperson Bisey Uirab has finally shed light on some of the decisions that were taken following the last stakeholders’ consultative meeting, saying the committee is responsible for finding sponsorships to start league football.

Fifa Normalisation Committee (NC) chairperson Bisey Uirab has finally shed light on some of the decisions that were taken following the last stakeholders’ consultative meeting, saying the committee is responsible for finding sponsorships to start league football.

“We are of the view that the 2022/23 league must be played under the Namibia Football Association (NFA) management and administration,” Uirab said.

Speaking on Monday’s Evening Review show, Uirab maintained that it was important that the football leagues are under NFA management to allow a transition into professional football aspirations.

The news however did not sit well in some football circles, as some felt that the NC is excluding the expelled Namibia Premier League (NPL) without having consulted the group.

Some club members, who chose to remain anonymous, were of the view that the committee has made up their mind and will continue with the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL).

Namibian Sun contacted Uirab yesterday for comment on the statement and the criticisms.

This was after the NC held separate meetings with members of the current NPFL and NPL in an attempt to examine the situation on the ground.

Uirab denied excluding anyone and said they are on course to harmonise football.

“The NFA must seek sponsorship for this league. In the long run, it is generally agreed that that the top-tier league must be a stand alone professional league, with an appropriate relationship with the football association,” he said.

Uirab feels that the only way to acquire professional status is if they use this time to host all leagues under the NFA to build capacity at all levels, including club and league management.

“It will also be crucial to use this period to strengthen relations amongst all key stakeholders,” he added.

Background

In 2020, the NFA congress resolved to expel the NPL, after it did not comply with a request from the Fifa-appointed NC.

The NPL took a stand to relegate three clubs – Young African, Orlando Pirates and Civics – at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Claims from the committee, and those who took over the NFA at the 2020 congress, were that the NPL’s decision to relegate the clubs, while no first division football was played due to lack of funds, was incorrect.

The NPL, under its chairman Patrick Kauta, refused to bow to an NC request to undo the decision, and this led to their expulsion at the congress.

The newly elected leadership of the NFA endorsed the formation of the NPFL in December 2020.

The same leadership, and NFA executive that formed part of this formation was, however, later dismissed by Fifa due to infighting. A new NC was subsequently elected.