NSSU blunders in ghost Cossasa Games

Jesse Jackson KauraisaWindhoekNamibia’s Cossasa team members and parents were left traumatised after a trip to the McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom, South Africa, became a nightmare many hope to forget.This after the athletes, who travelled to South Africa by bus, arrived to an empty stadium at the games they were allegedly scheduled to compete in.Team Namibia only found privately booked athletes at the venue, with the guards claiming they are not aware of any other event taking place at the stadium.The team was eventually allowed to enter in the stadium after security initially prevented them from doing so.Meanwhile, sport minister Agnes Tjongarero only learnt of the blunder when parents started calling her.“I only came to know about this whole saga when parents started calling like Radio Kosmos to get clarity.“There seems to be different versions about this whole thing. We will know the whole truth tomorrow and I can assure you, we will take action,” she fumed.Ghost townIt is alleged that Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) officials - led by coordinator Solly Duiker - informed the group of parents and athletes that they are officially opening the event, which only had Team Namibia present.“Patrick Xoagub opened with a prayer, blessing the day, event and sport activities,” an insider said.Namibian Sun understands the team was then informed about an official coming from Johannesburg for everything to start.Those on the ground allegedly told the team and parents that the closing ceremony was to be held at another venue, where the medal handover ceremony would take place.“After the opening ceremony, we were told to move to the different fields for rugby, netball and volleyball, which we did.”However, when athletes moved to the different sites, nothing was happening there.Soon after, deputy director in the sport ministry Irvin Ndjavera arrived for a meeting with the other officials.At around 13:00, the director allegedly came out to apologise to the parents, adding that because the officials failed to provide answers for what really transpired, he made the decision to withdraw Team Namibia from the event, the source said.The team managers were instructed to start planning for the athletes’ return to Namibia within two hours.Not involvedIt is further alleged the team did not have the proper accommodation and meals paid for in time, which sources feel had a negative impact on the young athletes.Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter from South African Schools Athletics (Sasa) dated 27 September in which it distances itself from the Cossassa Games.“It has come to our attention that a Cossasa Championship/Ball Games have been planned in South Africa during the period of 5 to 9 October 2022 in Rustenburg, as the programme includes track and field for under 13, 15 and 17 age group for boys and girls.“This notice came as a shock to Sasa as this was never communicated to South African schools athletics and less to Athletics South Africa.“Neither department of basic education or the department of sports, arts and culture informed us of such a pending competition,” the letter - signed by Sasa secretary-general Peppi Olevano - read.‘Clandestine competition’The missive, sent to South African schools athletics associations in nine provinces, the department of basic education, the department of sports, arts and culture, Athletics South Africa and unions, warned them against entertaining news about the hosting of the event.“Unfortunately, we cannot condone such clandestine competitions which do not form part of the fixture list of Sasa or Athletics South Africa.“We therefore ask you to refrain to send athletes to take part in competitions not approved by Sasa, Athletics South Africa or the department of basic education,” it further read.Duiker could not be reached for comment.

NSSU blunders in ghost Cossasa Games

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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NSSU blunders in ghost Cossasa Games

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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