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NFA leagues resume FridaySports Minister frowns on using stadiums for social events

OPUWO: The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has declared the resumption of all football league activities, two days after they were cancelled due to President Hage Geingob's death in Windhoek on Sunday. Cassius Moetie, NFA Marketing and Communication Manager, in a statement on Monday said the games scheduled for this weekend will go as planned. 'The NFA wishes to inform the public and all football lovers that it has resolved to resume the league fixtures for the weekend of 09 to 11 February 2024,' he said. Moetie further said during the period of national mourning, tributes will be paid to the late president at all Premier League games. 'For all games, players and staff will wear black armbands to express the NFA's condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the entire Namibian nation for the passing of the former football patron, while a minute's silence will be observed before games to show appreciation for the late Geingob's reign,' Moetie said. Speaking to Nampa on Tuesday, Debmarine Namibia Football Lea gue director Johannes Mabos Vries confirmed that the league will continue with rounds 18 and 19 on Friday and Sunday. He stated that the scheduled Round 17 fixtures, which were slated to take place on Sunday, 04 February 2024 but were postponed due to the president's untimely death, will not be honoured. Vries stated that the date for the Round 17 fixtures would be announced in due time. On Thursday, Khomas NamPol FC will meet relegation-threatened Orlando Pirates FC, who are currently led by former Matebele FC coach Woody Jacobs, at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek. UNAM FC will take on Okahandja United at UNAM Stadium on Friday. On Saturday, Tigers FC will play Ongos FC at UNAM Stadium, while Life Fighters FC will host coastal outfit Blue Waters at Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo. Northern pride Eeshoke Chula Chula will play Julinho Sporting at the Oshakati Independence Stadium, while Okakarara Young Warriors will host Mighty Gunners at the Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein. In the south, Young Brazil ians will meet reigning champions African Stars. Civics will face Young Africans at UNAM Stadium. The Round 19 matchups for Sunday will feature Life Fighters against Okahandja United, Blue Waters against UNAM, and Mighty Gunners vs Julinho Sporting. Okakarara Young Warriors will face Eeshoke Chula Chula in a battle of the underdogs. Khomas NamPol will face African Stars FC for the top place, while Young Brazilians will host Orlando Pirates. Tigers will host Young African in Windhoek, while Civics will play Ongos FC at UNAM Stadium. Source: The Namibia Press Agency Mr. Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, says he has engaged the National Sports Authority (NSA) in stopping the use of the national stadiums for social events. There was serious agitations by some football fans following the closure of the Accra Sports Stadium for footballing activities by the NSA last December. Mr. Mustapha Ussif, appearing before the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, stated categorically that he didn't order the closure of the stadium for social events to be allowed to take place. 'The main purpose of our sporting facilities is for us to use those facilities to develop talent and also for competitions, whether national or international. 'I did not authorise the closure of the sports stadium. I am aware the stadium was closed and my major concern was the pitch. 'Even though the NSA by law is the authority having the powers to manage all the sporting facilities for us and to ensure they are in good shape, once we have a major tournament coming; the Africa Games and we ha ve also the Premiership ongoing, my major concern is how much we are getting from these social events that we are giving out these facilities to,' he said. The Minister was concerned that the money received from these social events might not be enough to better maintain the facility. 'It's something that I have engaged the Director General on that, going forward, this should not be done because, at the end of the day whatever you get from these social events might not be able to maintain the pitch,' he noted. Source: Ghana News Agency