Fifa officials to visit Namibia

Maqonda Ndlovu
WINDHOEK, 31 JULY – Two International Federation of Football Associations (Fifa) officials will visit Namibia on Thursday to assess various projects they currently have with the Namibia Football Association (NFA).
Speaking to Nampa exclusively on Tuesday, NFA Secretary General Barry Rukoro said the officials will be in the country for two days to inspect the various projects Fifa and the NFA are implementing through Fifa funding.
“We have various projects we are working on hand in hand. These include the NFA offices, the technical centre, Hamlet Square, the installation of solar panels at the offices, establishment of a gymnasium and installation of floodlights at the technical centre, which were implemented with Fifa funding through its Goal or Forward programmes,” Rukoro said.
The officials will assess the progress made with these projects, how they are being maintained, as well as discuss the way forward for those that have not been completed.
“They will look at the state of these facilities’ conditions, they will also assess if the money has been used as per the submissions made. These include the mentioned projects as well as purchase of a new vehicle for the association,” Rukoro added.
He stressed that the inspection by Fifa is something that happens regularly at all member associations, with the last one in Namibia having taken place four years back.
“It is a necessity for Fifa to acquaint themselves with what is on the ground from member associations. The visit is important for NFA as it will help us to preserve our position as the go-to country for Fifa with various projects they have to offer,” said Rukoro.
This, he said, will help Namibia access more money from the federation for the development of football in Namibia as the country’s treasury cannot sustain this growth.
The two officials will assess projects in Windhoek only as the ones in the regions have already been assessed.
Asked how ready the NFA was to welcome the two officials, Rukoro said contrary to popular belief, the local football association was a transparent organisation which is “well-run and well-managed in terms of implementation and management of its resources”.
“After this visit, we also expect to get new projects and new funding from Fifa as their budget cycle will also begin in 2019. All our projects are completed, except Hamlet Square which we will discuss with the officials. I can safely say we are 95 per cent done,” he said.
The NFA SG said the implementation of all the projects was very important as they help develop football in the country.
He further said the next phase was to make the facilities self-sustainable before they enter the next step, which is revenue generation.
NAMPA