John Tuerijama
20 November 2008
THE Omusati Athletics Region has not been invited to the Athletics Namibia (AN) elective congress scheduled for Saturday in Katima Mulilo, despite claiming to be a member.
A media release on Tuesday from the Omusati Athletics' Region's chairperson Arnie Amukwaya said her region had applied for membership as per the AN Constitution Section Six, and that their membership was accepted and ratified by the AN's Otjiwarongo Congress in 2007.
However, the Omusati athletics leadership learned with shock a couple of weeks ago that they have not been invited to take part in the forthcoming congress.
"Omusati has learned that the Otjozondjupa and Hardap regions were invited to the congress, but investigations conducted by Omusati has found that these two regions did not receive any acceptance and ratification from AN, and therefore, do not have any voting powers at the Congress," said Amukwaya.
"Omusati is, therefore, demanding for a full explanation on this matter from AN.
It will be unfair if administrators demoralise Namibians' efforts," she said.
"Denying Omusati to take part in this Congress will be denying the voices of more than 60 active athletes from being heard.
We hope our demand will be considered as a serious matter that requires urgent attention for the love of the sport and the nation at large," she added.
Contacted for comment, AN president Alpha Kangueehi told Nampa that Omusati has failed to submit all required documents, including the names of at least 24 athletes and their constitution.
AN secretary general Mike Haimbodi also quickly pointed out that Omusati was never a member of AN, saying his office received only a half-written letter from them requesting membership.
"Where have they been for the past two years? We have never written anything to them regarding their membership.
It is impossible to come and claim membership when it is Congress' time," he charged.
According to Haimbodi, there was no congress in 2007 but in 2006, and that Omusati was never invited.
The 'congress' Amukwaya is alluding to was the Indaba called by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), where all regions were invited to.
He further stated that both Hardap and Otjozondjupa are fully-fledged members of AN.
Yesterday, Amukwaya admitted that they have not received anything in writing from AN regarding their application, saying they have read an article in a local newspaper that mentioned Omusati as a member.
Members set to take part at the congress are the Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Caprivi, Kavango, Oshikoto, Hardap, Erongo and Oshana regions.
Nampa
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