It has been almost two months now since Namibia’s cycling sensation and crowd-favourite Costa Seibeb was unfairly suspended from representing his native land by a kangaroo court masterminded by the top brass of the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF), but still no serious progress is forthcoming from the relevant authorities.
The highly gifted youngster was suspended in absentia and his sin was just because he informed the seemingly untouchable cycling bosses that he was not ready to accompany the national cycling team to South Africa for the prestigious Olympic African Qualifiers – citing personal reasons.
His decision or reasons did not sit well with the NCF bosses, who abruptly banned Seibeb from representing Namibia at all international competitions – including the 2016 Rio Olympics where he was going to be one of the medal hopefuls. The suspension runs until December 2016.
In an earlier interview with New Era Sport, Seibeb claimed that he was charged, tried in absentia, found guilty accompanied by subsequent sanctions in a kangaroo-style court without being accorded the mandatory disciplinary hearing, where he could have at least substantiated his case.
Just a few days after the incident, the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), which is the country’s sports presiding authority, was alerted about the quandary and promised to investigate the circumstances that led to Seibeb’s suspension and thoroughly deal with whoever the culprit may be.
Questioned yesterday on the progress of the investigation, NSC acting Chief Administrator Harald Fulle said they have already received the minutes of the disputed disciplinary hearing from the NCF and will, within the course of next week, make their findings public via the media.
“We will have a final meeting with the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), where we will both go through the various reports that were brought to our table, including the minutes of the meeting as well. The case was also reported to the NNOC, so they too have to be part of the process until we announce the final outcome. But I can assure you that there is progress on the matter,” said Fulle.
In the meantime, the fast improving and highly rated Seibeb is smoothly going about his business on the local cycling scene, determinedly hammering opponents and tumbling records locally as if winning titles is going out of fashion.