By Jon K. Disho
DIVUNDU, August 18 — A planned soccer tournament in Mukwe Constituency—requiring participating teams to present ECN voter registration cards, with prizes including free transport and free food—has drawn mixed reactions from residents. Critics say the event is political and contrary to FIFA ethics, while organizers argue it is meant to encourage youth participation in the upcoming Regional and Local Authority elections in November.
Some community members further allege that organizers failed to follow protocol by not informing the Mukwe EXCO Sports Committee before announcing the tournament.
Mr. Erwin Kaveto, a member of the Mukwe EXCO, posted the following message on the Mukwe Sport WhatsApp Group:
“don’t bring politics in sport please it is too dangerous even FIFA cannot allow what you are trying to do please. Find another way not in this way. We are watching as sport lovers Don’t mislead the society in this way. We are not all blind”
Freddy Marando, a member of the Mukwe Sport Group and an active member of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), declined to comment on the controversy, saying:
” You know the independent candidate is a member of Swapo party and those complaining are also members of Swapo party,so I don’t have any comment in their stories”
Contacted for comment, aspiring independent candidate Isdor Muronga acknowledged being aware of a tournament held in his honor but denied organizing it, stating:
“ I have no comment and it’s good if you can contact the organizers of the tournament for more information”
Muronga confirmed he intends to stand as an independent candidate in the Mukwe Constituency of the Kavango East Region and said he will launch his manifesto soon.”so far I’m keeping everything close to my chest” he said
Reached by phone, tournament organizer and Chairperson of NFA First Division club Eastern Chiefs,Stanley Muyevu, defended the event as timely preparation for players ahead of the league’s resumption and as a civic initiative:
“This is good opportunity to encourage young people to come in big numbers and vote in this year elections and not sure as why some people are complaining really .”
Muyevu added that the event is going ahead, with teams having confirmed participation. The tournament is scheduled for 23 September to 03 October 2025 across four villages in Mukwe Constituency – Namibia Daily News
