Money woes in women's football
Women's football in Namibia faces difficult times, with no hope of securing funding to kick–start the league.
Footballer Thomalina Adams returned to Namibia after plying her trade in Europe for a year in the highest Lithuanian league, the A Lyga.
Things did not go as expected. Adams picked up several injuries and her contract was not renewed. Adams had left Namibia for greener pastures in April 2016, along with compatriot Zenatha Coleman, hoping to sustain a professional career at European club Gintra Universitetas.
Coleman is faring well, having scored a dozen goals for her club. Adams was not as lucky. Now the football wizard focuses her time on getting back to speed with her fitness, hoping to secure another deal that will put her back on the international map. Jacky Shipanga, Brave Gladiators coach, says Adams picked up multiple injuries and could not perform to her best ability. “Now she is nursing her injuries but it is frustrating because there are no funds available for us to rehabilitate her. But not only her, all the other players suffer because of the dormant league.”
Shipanga says Adams's case is dangerous because she cannot go back into the field of play without receiving the best medical care and getting game time to keep active.
“Adams and Coleman were successful in getting deals because they were scouted while playing in the league. They were physically prepared and that helped them to go overseas. Now, there is no league and other players cannot enjoy the same opportunity they had.”
According to the coach it has been almost four years since the African Women's Championship took place in Windhoek: a competition which they used as a springboard to push local players out of the country.
“The competition gave women footballers an opportunity to be seen by the world. Doors opened for four players to play international football. It created job opportunities for local players as well. “We as a nation were supposed to use the exposure from the competition to push for greater opportunities. But we didn't. Now, it feels like we have stepped years back,” she says.
“I am worried because the league is not kicking off. Fifteen percent of the money FIFA gives for football each year is supposed to go to women's football, but we have no access to those funds. The executive leaders need to look into this matter and help the female players.”
She says a country like Zambia, which was ranked lower than Namibia in football, has surpassed it in terms of developing women footballers. “Zambia is using funding from FIFA, whilst we have no access to use the funds. We are right where we started. It is demoralising for everyone. “Give us the money from FIFA and we will source funding from corporate companies. I can even start the league with my eyes closed if we can receive the money,” Shipanga says.
Not only does the funding help in developing the game but it helps local coaches too. “I have been pushing coaching courses, but what is the point of having any of that if coaches don't get the chance to practise what they learned? The certificates they received are collecting dust.”
Adams who plays for Tura Magic Ladies Football Club locally, sounds optimistic, saying that playing in Lithuania was her dream. “I remain positive to play overseas again, not only to grow as a player but to change the lives of my family members. If my talent takes me out of poverty, I am ready to take up the responsibility of helping my mother financially,” she says. She says an idle league dampens players' spirits because it pushes them into social evils like alcohol abuse. “I am urging corporates to help the game we love.”
Her manager and the Women's Football Desk are helping her to get back on form and to return to an international career.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Things did not go as expected. Adams picked up several injuries and her contract was not renewed. Adams had left Namibia for greener pastures in April 2016, along with compatriot Zenatha Coleman, hoping to sustain a professional career at European club Gintra Universitetas.
Coleman is faring well, having scored a dozen goals for her club. Adams was not as lucky. Now the football wizard focuses her time on getting back to speed with her fitness, hoping to secure another deal that will put her back on the international map. Jacky Shipanga, Brave Gladiators coach, says Adams picked up multiple injuries and could not perform to her best ability. “Now she is nursing her injuries but it is frustrating because there are no funds available for us to rehabilitate her. But not only her, all the other players suffer because of the dormant league.”
Shipanga says Adams's case is dangerous because she cannot go back into the field of play without receiving the best medical care and getting game time to keep active.
“Adams and Coleman were successful in getting deals because they were scouted while playing in the league. They were physically prepared and that helped them to go overseas. Now, there is no league and other players cannot enjoy the same opportunity they had.”
According to the coach it has been almost four years since the African Women's Championship took place in Windhoek: a competition which they used as a springboard to push local players out of the country.
“The competition gave women footballers an opportunity to be seen by the world. Doors opened for four players to play international football. It created job opportunities for local players as well. “We as a nation were supposed to use the exposure from the competition to push for greater opportunities. But we didn't. Now, it feels like we have stepped years back,” she says.
“I am worried because the league is not kicking off. Fifteen percent of the money FIFA gives for football each year is supposed to go to women's football, but we have no access to those funds. The executive leaders need to look into this matter and help the female players.”
She says a country like Zambia, which was ranked lower than Namibia in football, has surpassed it in terms of developing women footballers. “Zambia is using funding from FIFA, whilst we have no access to use the funds. We are right where we started. It is demoralising for everyone. “Give us the money from FIFA and we will source funding from corporate companies. I can even start the league with my eyes closed if we can receive the money,” Shipanga says.
Not only does the funding help in developing the game but it helps local coaches too. “I have been pushing coaching courses, but what is the point of having any of that if coaches don't get the chance to practise what they learned? The certificates they received are collecting dust.”
Adams who plays for Tura Magic Ladies Football Club locally, sounds optimistic, saying that playing in Lithuania was her dream. “I remain positive to play overseas again, not only to grow as a player but to change the lives of my family members. If my talent takes me out of poverty, I am ready to take up the responsibility of helping my mother financially,” she says. She says an idle league dampens players' spirits because it pushes them into social evils like alcohol abuse. “I am urging corporates to help the game we love.”
Her manager and the Women's Football Desk are helping her to get back on form and to return to an international career.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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