Am just saying, in our request for the professionalization of sports in our country, it is becoming clear that this route that we have taken cannot unfold in isolation from crucial factors such as funding, governance, leadership, infrastructure, and education.
Am just saying a lot of us are calling for the evolution of sports into a professional space, a critical examination of our own actions as advocates reveals a significant gap between rhetoric and practice.
Am just saying, during a recent visit to a special school, of the ministry of education, in one of the rural areas of the country, I came across these school that is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities capable of establishing a high-performance center.
Am just saying, astonishingly, the school did not actively encourage young people to participate in sports, rendering the virgin facilities idle. Simultaneously, a team competing in the first division has been struggling in substandard facilities just ten kilometers away (ask Eeshoke Chula Chula). This inconsistency highlights a systemic issue—our failure to align our aspirations for professional sports with our own actions and resources.
Am just saying, as leaders we must recognize our pivotal role in fostering partnerships and engaging institutions to optimize existing facilities. The disconnect between a regional league team playing in makeshift facilities and a well-equipped school with unused resources underscores the need for strategic leadership and collaboration.
Am just saying, our biggest challenge on our way to professionalization is the issue of funding. The discrepancy in financial support for sports teams becomes apparent when a team from Divundu, is allocated a mere N$ 50,000 as startup capital for the entire season, and is expected to cover substantial travel expenses. The stark reality of transportation costs for away matches exposes a significant gap between the financial assistance provided and the actual needs of the teams.
Am just saying, while advocating for financial support, it is imperative that sports leaders present realistic figures to potential sponsors and stakeholders. Rather than seeking a handout, leaders should transparently communicate the comprehensive budgetary requirements of their teams, fostering a more collaborative approach to securing funding.
This calls for a blend of leadership skills and a deep understanding of the business of sports—an intersection where education becomes paramount.
Am just saying, for us to be able to address these challenges, we must commit to induction training that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of the sports business landscape.
Am just saying, understanding return on investments, negotiation strategies, and effective collaboration are essential components of this education. By doing so, leaders will be better equipped to bridge the gap between aspiration and execution, steering the course toward an honestly professionalized sports landscape.
Am just saying, the professionalization of sports necessitates an approach that brings together matters of leadership, education, and funding. Only when we come to terms that we need certain skills and competences, will we be able to align our preaching with action, be able to engage in meaningful partnerships, and equip those at the helm with the necessary skills to take us to the Promised Land.
Am just saying
