NSC clears hockey coach of racist conduct

WINDHOEK, 10 OCT – The Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) on Tuesday cleared national hockey coach, Maryke Short of any racial discrimination for not selecting Liya Herunga for the Under-16 (U-16) national team’s tour to Zimbabwe in November.
However, despite being cleared of the accusations, Short was not reinstated into the position as coach.
The racism storm over Herunga’s omission from the team erupted after the player’s mother, Ruth Herunga aired her grievance on the matter on Twitter.
After the news broke, Short was suspended by the Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) until an investigation into the matter was completed.
John Kangowa, who led an independent body selected by the NSC to conduct the investigation, told a media briefing here Tuesday that there was never any racism involved in the matter, but there are a number of technicalities it recommended to the NHU to improve on with the help of the NSC.
“There are a number of technicalities that we found should be worked on like the selection process of the team and how coaches should be appointment,” Kangowa pointed out.
He said that although not found guilty, Short was not reinstated into her position as the independent body advised that the position be re-advertised and the coach re-apply for the post like all other potential candidates.
On his part, NSC Chief Administrator Freddy Mwiya noted the coach cannot be reinstated immediately as procedures still have to be followed, “but we are happy that the two parties, the athlete (Herunga) and her representatives and the coach reached an understanding of what transpired and we have now resolved the problem”.
What is important, he continued, is that the coach has been cleared of the racism allegation against her and she is eligible to apply for the position again once it is advertised.
Mwiya further announced that the tour that was planned for Zimbabwe later this year for the U-16 and U-18 hockey teams has been cancelled, saying the NHU has been asked to select a new team with the help of the clubs, while following all the steps that need to be followed.
(NAMPA)