Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has dismissed claims by Debmarine Namibia CEO Willy Martens that its leadership has put personal interests ahead of the welfare of clubs, players, and referees.
Speaking at an awards ceremony at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, Martens criticised the NFA leadership for being absent and said sponsors deserve respect and appreciation.
“We, at Debmarine Namibia, as a sponsor, did not feel respected and valued by the NFA leadership, especially over the past two years. Only then will we move football forward in this country,” Martens said.
He urged the NFA to fast-track the launch of an independent league, saying the transformation project, which was part of the sponsorship agreement, is behind schedule.
Martens said Debmarine has invested about N$50 million in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership over the past three years.
He said this funding helped strengthen league operations and improved pay for players, technical staff, referees, medical workers, guesthouses, and transport providers.
“Our involvement started with the NFA Cup in 2015 and extended to support for the Brave Warriors, Brave Gladiators, and club teams like African Stars and Tura Magic Ladies when they played in African competitions. This amounted to close to N$80 million over the past 10 years,” Martens added.
In response on Tuesday, NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie said Martens’ remarks misrepresented the association and could damage its reputation.
“Even though the NFA values its partnership with Debmarine Namibia, certain assertions made by Martens misrepresent the character and stature of the association and cannot be left unaddressed. Their inaccuracies risk unjustly tarnishing the NFA’s reputation and the upward trajectory of Namibian football,” Moetie said.
He refuted claims that the NFA leadership was absent, explaining that executive council members Michael Situde and Laurence Kandundu, along with Moetie himself, attended the event in place of the president and vice president, who were unavailable.
“It is particularly disconcerting that such statements were made at the NFA Awards ceremony, an event at which Debmarine Namibia participated as an NFA sponsor,” Moetie said.
He added that the NFA found the suggestion of disrespect surprising and regrettable, especially since the sponsorship agreement provides internal channels for communication.
“There are protocols of internal engagement where Debmarine Namibia could express its views to find amicable outcomes – but certainly not in public,” said Moetie.
He said Martens’ claims amounted to defamation of character and could negatively affect the NFA brand and its efforts to attract more sponsors.
“This was below the belt. Allegation that the NFA leadership prioritised personal objectives over the welfare of clubs, players, and referees. These claims are defamation of character of the NFA leadership that has a direct impact on the NFA brand with its football products we sell to potential sponsors,” Moetie said.
