NABF thwarts former boxer's concerns over missing audited reports

WINDHOEK, 12 MAY (NAMPA) - The Namibia Boxing Federation (NABF) has dismissed criticism by former boxer Mujandjae Kasuto over missing audited financial reports, saying it has submitted the required reports to relevant authorities.

Kasuto, speaking at a recent press conference of the Khomas Amateur Boxing Federation (KABF) in Windhoek, claimed the federation has failed to produce properly audited financial statements for close to 10 years, raising concerns over transparency and governance in amateur boxing.

“As far as we are aware, the Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation has not produced or made available properly audited financial statements for close to 10 years,” he said.

Kasuto argued that organisations entrusted with public-interest responsibilities and athlete development have a duty to account transparently for funds received, and called on the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) to intervene.

“Exercise your mandate, respond to the complaint before you, and commission or conduct an independent assessment of the NABF’s governance and financial compliance,” he said.

Responding to Nampa on concerns over the missing audited financial reports, NABF interim president Immanuel Hamukwaya said the federation had already submitted the required reports.

“The money that we were given by the government, we already provided how we worked with that money,” he added.

NABF Secretary General Petrus Kashango also maintained that the federation presents accountability reports during annual meetings.

“We give the report. Actually, we do our normal report and every time we are having our external congress, we give that report,” he told Nampa on Monday.

The NSC, however, confirmed that the federation receives government support, although not enough to fully sustain its operations.

NSC spokesperson Givean Samulandela explained that all national federations are subjected to an annual compliance process in line with the Namibia Sports Act.

“So the Sports Commission, what it does every year through the Namibia Sports Act, is renew the registration of all sport codes or national sport bodies. That includes federations and umbrella bodies,” he said.

Samulandela noted that audited financial statements form part of the compliance requirements for renewal, but acknowledged that smaller federations often struggle to afford independent auditors.
(NAMPA)
EST/HP/EK