The Namibia Football Association (NFA) launched the first division goalkeeping course, which commenced at Football House in Windhoek on Monday.
Officiating at the event, NFA Acting Technical Director Jacqueline Shipanga said the association has taken a conscious decision to upgrade human capital in the game as a way of professionalising the sport.
“It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that we build capacity and competent workforce for the future generations. The office of the technical director as a clear mandate, which is to build capacity in the disciplines of administration and management, coaching, refereeing, sports medicine, strength and condition for both men and women,” she said.
Shipanga added that the course is a clear demonstration that the association is determined to build local skills with knowledge and share best practices with the NFA members.
She said the process of capacity building is not a once-off thing, hence the office of the technical director has planned a number of such courses.
“The responsibility to ensure that we continue to identify, create a conducive environment and provide quality and consistent training for the development opportunities should be the order of the day so that we nurture our talented goalkeepers,” Shipanga explained.
She further explained that the objectives of the course are twofold, namely, building capacity and increasing the pool of instructors that will further train other goalkeepers in the regions.
Course facilitator Ronny Kanalelo, a former Eleven Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns and Brave Warriors goalkeeper, noted that a lot of work needs to be done in order to identify and nurture future goalkeepers.
“Everything we do always comes back to the players. That is the most important product in our profession. There is a good plan and it’s all about us working together for a common goal so that we give a chance to our players to be able to play at the highest level,” Kanalelo said.
The course will run until Friday with participants drawn from all the 14 regions’ first division teams.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
