Johnny Doeseb made the remarks during a mid-week press conference to announce the pending visit of South African soccer giants Kaizer Chiefs to play Eleven Arrows, on July 31 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura, in an international friendly.

Flanked by sponsors of the international friendly, Hollard Insurance Namibia and Standard Bank Namibia, Doeseb said there exists the potential for competing brands to sponsor teams in Namibia without any “glitches or unhappiness” from either side “Co-existence of competing brands exists all over the world. In Namibia this must be understood,” said Doeseb. “To me exclusivity is a non-entity and it kills football,” he added.

Doeseb was responding to questions posed by sport journalist Lesley Tjiueza on the fact that his team will be partaking in match sponsored by Standard Bank of Namibia, despite Eleven Arrows being funded for its playing operations by First National Bank of Namibia – a direct competitor to Standard Bank.

He hinted that there are plans to bring onboard more sponsorship and thoughts were mooted that Hollard Insurance Namibia and Standard Bank could soon claw their way into domestic football.

“Hollard and Standard Bank will be coming on board. This is just the beginning.

Currently we are having discussions with regard to football sponsorship,”said Doeseb, adding that discussions with the concerned parties were at an advanced stage
In South Africa, Standard Bank is the sponsor of Kaizer Chiefs, whilst Hollard Insurance is a key business partner of Chiefs.

On his part Hollard’s SADC Regional Director, Johan Barnard, said: “Hollard’s involvement in Namibian football starts now, there will be an announcement very soon.”

Coutesy of New Era/John Ekongo