Mission impossible for Vries?
From the costly coronavirus, to clubs that are still dragging their feet and court cases, football in this country will have to weather the storm.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Namibia Premier Football League (NFPL) director Mabos Vries and his executives face a huge mountain to climb in order to get the league started by April.
The fact that the association created a Hollywood picture when introducing the league has already set the bar and expectations high.
It is a journey of sleepless nights and headaches to make the dreams they sold to clubs and football lovers a reality.
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has released its season calendar and one of the suggestions was that football will start on 17 April.
But that date was set during an uncertain time with the coronavirus pandemic still surging throughout the world, bringing global events to a halt.
“The time frame that Mabos Vries has is unrealistic because there are so many things to be done like drafting an operational manual that requires input from referees, clubs and players.
“Starting a whole new league is not easy and I doubt that they have enough time to start it in April,” says Olsen Kahiriri, a labour consultant and football analyst.
There is no clear picture as to whether coronavirus cases will drop in April or another spike in cases will begin.
A costly routine is expected to be the norm week in and week out in order for clubs to ensure that their players and staff remain healthy.
It is something that even the biggest of leagues with plenty of financial muscle have struggled to contain.
Fat budgets
This means that the director and his team, including the NFA, will have to budget way more carefully than they would do in a normal season.
Clubs barely make any income from their own home matches and it will be more difficult to make any money given that there are no spectators to provide gate-takings.
This means that the NPFL and the NFA will have to source extra funds to make sure that clubs comply with the coronavirus protocols.
Clubs used to survive on a N$114 280 monthly grant they each received from the NPL through former main sponsors MTC and FNB during the season.
There is a feeling around football circles that the N$114 280 will not be enough this time around.
Monitoring the situation
Director Mabos Vries says it is important to monitor the situation on the ground.
As things stand, the NFA has promised football-hungry fans that the start is in April and any other postponement could cause more distrust from fans and clubs.
“Yes, we know about the virus and that is why it is important to monitor the situation and develop regulations for our league.
“The country already has its own regulations and from that, we can draw ours that will ensure the safety of players and staff,” Vries noted.
Not official
One of the challenges that the executive team is facing is the fact that the current case between the NPL and NFA, which is with CAS, could affect the league if the court rules in the favour of the NPL.
Some football clubs, on the other hand, have not yet made it official that they have joined the top-tier league, while others are divided.
“I do not want to dwell on the clubs for now because we are still drafting official communications.
“I do not speak about things that are not official yet, so I will reserve my comment for when things are officially in place.
“As for now, we have created an expectation and it is up to us to make it possible,” Vries said.
WINDHOEK
Namibia Premier Football League (NFPL) director Mabos Vries and his executives face a huge mountain to climb in order to get the league started by April.
The fact that the association created a Hollywood picture when introducing the league has already set the bar and expectations high.
It is a journey of sleepless nights and headaches to make the dreams they sold to clubs and football lovers a reality.
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has released its season calendar and one of the suggestions was that football will start on 17 April.
But that date was set during an uncertain time with the coronavirus pandemic still surging throughout the world, bringing global events to a halt.
“The time frame that Mabos Vries has is unrealistic because there are so many things to be done like drafting an operational manual that requires input from referees, clubs and players.
“Starting a whole new league is not easy and I doubt that they have enough time to start it in April,” says Olsen Kahiriri, a labour consultant and football analyst.
There is no clear picture as to whether coronavirus cases will drop in April or another spike in cases will begin.
A costly routine is expected to be the norm week in and week out in order for clubs to ensure that their players and staff remain healthy.
It is something that even the biggest of leagues with plenty of financial muscle have struggled to contain.
Fat budgets
This means that the director and his team, including the NFA, will have to budget way more carefully than they would do in a normal season.
Clubs barely make any income from their own home matches and it will be more difficult to make any money given that there are no spectators to provide gate-takings.
This means that the NPFL and the NFA will have to source extra funds to make sure that clubs comply with the coronavirus protocols.
Clubs used to survive on a N$114 280 monthly grant they each received from the NPL through former main sponsors MTC and FNB during the season.
There is a feeling around football circles that the N$114 280 will not be enough this time around.
Monitoring the situation
Director Mabos Vries says it is important to monitor the situation on the ground.
As things stand, the NFA has promised football-hungry fans that the start is in April and any other postponement could cause more distrust from fans and clubs.
“Yes, we know about the virus and that is why it is important to monitor the situation and develop regulations for our league.
“The country already has its own regulations and from that, we can draw ours that will ensure the safety of players and staff,” Vries noted.
Not official
One of the challenges that the executive team is facing is the fact that the current case between the NPL and NFA, which is with CAS, could affect the league if the court rules in the favour of the NPL.
Some football clubs, on the other hand, have not yet made it official that they have joined the top-tier league, while others are divided.
“I do not want to dwell on the clubs for now because we are still drafting official communications.
“I do not speak about things that are not official yet, so I will reserve my comment for when things are officially in place.
“As for now, we have created an expectation and it is up to us to make it possible,” Vries said.
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