Namibia Premier League (NPL) chairperson, Patrick Kauta, has said ‘the bus is leaving the NPL station and whoever is not on it will be left behind.’

This follows a letter by the NPL to 36 clubs from the three First Division streams, asking them to indicate their interest in continuing as members of the organisation.

The letter in Nampa’s possession says the decision was taken by the NPL at a meeting held on 02 February 2022 to invite all three streams (North West, North East and Southern First Division) to indicate their interest in being members of the National First Division (NFD).

Also invited are Chief Santos, Civics, Orlando Pirates, Rundu Chiefs, Young African and Young Chiefs.

These clubs have been given until 22 February to show their interest by filling in relevant forms.

Those who fail to respond to this invite will be deemed to have forfeited their rights to participate in this league.

In case all the teams respond positively to this call of interest, another meeting will be scheduled to discuss the way forward as to how they will reach 12 teams for the envisaged NFD.

The letter stated that after the sudden halt of football in the lower leagues in the 2017/18 season, this situation accordingly removes ‘the sporting merit as a criterion for selection’.

“The only impartial, rational and obvious criterion is to invite all clubs entitled to participate in the three streams,” the letter states.

This information was also confirmed by Patrick Kauta, the chairperson of the NPL who also said Tigers, Julinho and Mighty Gunners have also been asked to indicate their positions with regards to the NPL.

“They must indicate whether they are surrendering their position in the NPL on the same date. If they do not respond, they will automatically forfeit their positions,” Kauta said.

The NPL currently has 10 clubs affiliated with it namely African Stars, Blue Waters, Black Africa, Citizens, Life Fighters, Okahandja United, Eleven Arrows, Young Brazilians, Tura Magic and UNAM Football Club.

Kauta revealed that they are now on the cusp of signing very important sponsorship deals with the aim of kicking the league off as soon as possible.

“The bus is about to leave, those that are not at the station will be left behind,” Kauta concluded.

The NPL says the NFD shall consist of 12 clubs whose promotion and relegation will be regulated between the Premier League and the NFD.

Following its expulsion from the Namibia Football Association, the NPL registered itself to manage professional football in Namibia with two tiers, the NPL and the NFD.

Source: Namibia Press News Agency