Windhoek — In what could be easily described as the most exciting and well organized sporting event on the Namibian sports calendar in a very long time - the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) annual soccer awards proved a huge success.

The night belonged to Black Africa's prolific goal scorer Jerome "the Crocodile" Louis.

Not even his conspicuous absence could put a damper on the proceedings with his team mate and Black Africa's recently retired long-serving captain Lolito Goraseb adding spice to an action-packed programme by showing his hand in the modern techniques of modelling.

Louis is currently in the South attending trials with several top teams in the Professional Soccer League and his mother Louis had her hands full as she collected silverware after silverware in the absence of her talented offspring.

Louis walked away with the prestigious Player of the Season Award and earned himself N$15,000 in the process - adding to his golden boot award of N$10,000 for a total of N$25,000. Louis rattled the opposition's net on no fewer than 22 times - thus shattering the old NPL record of 21 goals per season set by former Civics' target man William Chilufwya in the 2001/2002 season.

As widely expected, African Stars mentor Bobby Samaria won the accolades for the Best Coach of the Year Award that comes along with N$10,000.

The unpredictable Chairman's Award went to an unlikely source this time around, with reigning Miss Namibia Happie Ntelemu the chief beneficiary of a N$5,000 cheque in anticipation of her charity work.

Dozens of media practitioners received engraved silver plates as a token of appreciation for their tireless support towards the development of Namibian football.

The General Manager of MTC Corporate Affairs, Albertus Aochamub, reassured the Namibian football fraternity that domestic football will continue to witness massive commitment from MTC to ensure the growth of football at both junior and senior level throughout the country.

"With the expected demise of the Namibia Football Consortium of Sponsors, MTC has chosen to focus all its energies on the league in order to allow others to also play a meaningful role in football development."

Aochamub appealed to the football family to guard against selling their souls for peanuts disguised as genuine long-term partnerships - and cautioned them not to burn bridges with those who have supported football, even when the future was uncertain and the game could not attract any meaningful investment.

"The administration of the game must establish credibility to avoid conflicts which diminish the value of football to spectators, players and sponsors alike. Representations from all corners of the country must be enhanced to establish meaningful youth development programmes to draw the best that Namibia has to offer - and then to stick with them."

In conclusion, Aochamub minced no words and said MTC expects of their partners to start giving true substance to the noble intentions to establish a professional league and allow teams to show greater commitment to development at junior level next season.

"To achieve these small feats that would allow us to build a formidable league and a support base for the future growth of the world's most popular game - football authorities need to forge renewed partnerships with broadcasters to bring the game into our homes on a weekly basis through enhanced marketing efforts."

In his keynote address, the Acting Chairman of the NPL Johnny Doeseb, said apart from being a time for celebrations, the awards ceremony provides an ideal opportunity to reflect and forecast in the quest to position and sustain the NPL as the most respected and successful brand in the history of Namibian football.

"The next soccer season will be a challenging one for NPL team owners. Minimum administrative requirements will be set before clubs receive the monthly grants from the league authorities. Currently, the playing field is not level and as league we will come up with directives to try and level the playing fields."

The youthful entrepreneur applauded MTC for its unwavering commitment towards the welfare of Namibian football and also congratulated African Stars for winning the coveted league title.

"I challenge you to take your success further by participating in the annual CAF Champions League and represent Namibia at this level. I'm cognizant of the costs involved for participating in competitions of such magnitude but it's of paramount importance to measure your strengths against the best on the continent."