By Michael Uugwanga
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is embroiled in allegations of financial woes, which has resulted in delays in payments of salaries in some instances, leading to the federation turning to government for a bailout.
This is despite receiving an annual cash injection of over N$54 million from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to cover operational costs including salaries.
It is still not clear how NFA spends its yearly funding, although it is well documented that most of it is channeled to the national team, the Brave Warriors. The funds cater for their travelling costs, accommodation and players’ salaries.
Meanwhile, NFA staffers, who spoke to Confidente on condition of anonymity, indicated that they yet to receive their salaries for the month of August.
“We have not been paid yet and it is frustrating. Maybe we will get paid in the coming days or so but as we speak there is still no positive sign of communication on the matter,” said one employee.
It has since emerged that in a bid to settle the outstanding salaries, NFA management approached the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture for an urgent lifeline of about N$4 million.
This was confirmed by education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture deputy minister Dino Ballotti.
He however indicated that he was not aware that employees at the federation have not received last month’s salaries to date.
“There is a drawdown of the allocated funding from the Ministry to the NFA that was discussed last week. I will need to enquire if this has been processed as yet,” said Ballotti. NFA president Robert Shimooshili, refereed queries to the association’s interim general-secretary, Cassius Moeti and spokesperson Isack Hamata.
Hamata said: “I can unfortunately not comment on the NFA’s financial situation at this moment.” On the other hand, Moeti did not respond to questions sent to despite questions sent to him.
