WINDHOEK—Jochen Traut, interim general secretary of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), stated that the regional women’s leagues will officially commence once respective regions submit their budgets to the NFA. According to Traut, who spoke to Nampa on Monday, the NFA is awaiting budget documents detailing the allocation of money. Once these documents are submitted, NFA will disburse the funds to the regions that have complied with the requirements.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Traut further clarified that it is the responsibility of the regions to prepare themselves prior to the release of funds. He advised that the regional women’s leagues should actively pursue sponsorship opportunities to complement funds available from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

“The only source of funding to initiate the regional women’s leagues comes from FIFA. Regions must therefore secure their own supplementary sponsorship,” Traut stated.

The regional women’s league was initially slated to begin in July 2023. When questioned by Nampa about the delay, Traut attributed it to the regions’ lack of readiness and affirmed that the leagues would start once the regions are prepared.

Traut revealed that some regional women’s leagues, such as those in the Omaheke and Hardap regions, had already commenced last week. These regions were able to kick off after submitting their spending plans and fixtures, thereby securing funding from the NFA. The remainder of the regional women’s leagues are set to begin next year.