Proper governance key to fixing Namibian sport

Improving governance rather than simply increasing funding will be key to transforming Namibian sport, experts said during the Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance ‘Fireplace Conversations’ last Thursday.

The discussion brought together Namibia Sports Commission board member Dominic le Roux, former Fifa normalisation committee member Dina Shituula and Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance (NICG) chairperson Desmond Nikanor to examine governance challenges facing the country’s sport federations.

While acknowledging that limited funding remains a major obstacle, the panellists argued that stronger leadership, transparency and accountability are essential to building public trust and attracting investment.

Nikanor said governance principles are the same – regardless of whether they are applied in sport, business or public institutions, but noted that sport presents unique challenges because of the many stakeholders involved.

He said sport organisations are accountable to athletes, the government, sponsors, supporters and international governing bodies, making governance decisions more complex than in many other sectors.

Addressing concerns over federations failing to submit audited financial statements, Nikanor said the issue should not automatically be blamed on a lack of resources.