Erasmus Shaliahxwe
The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), in partnership with the Namibia Football Association (NFA), has trained 30 football officials through a week-long administration and management course held in Windhoek.
The NFA confirmed over the weekend that the participants included members from its regional associations and staff from the secretariat.
The five-day course was facilitated by Ashford Mamelodi, a former FIFA development officer and a seasoned instructor accredited by both FIFA and CAF.
NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie said the training was crucial for football personnel involved in the daily operations of football in Namibia.
“This COSAFA administration and management course for NFA staff, including our regional coordinators, is long overdue,” he said.
Moetie praised Mamelodi for his honest and detailed delivery on football development and administration.
“Ashford Mamelodi was brutally honest in terms of football development, administratively and from managing football from grassroots, academies, third, second and nationwide first divisions up to the top-tier leagues and national teams,” he said.
He described Mamelodi as a vital figure in African football.
“Ntate Mamelodi is an absolute fine product of African football development, and I am inclined to believe that Southern Africa does not exploit his expertise and exposure enough to improve governance, administration and the operations at member association level,” said Moetie.
He added that COSAFA has also facilitated courses for referees and a strategic leadership workshop for NFA executive council members.
Local under-15 teams also benefited from the Fast Footie Programme, held as part of the U20 COSAFA Championship Tournament’s legacy activities.
