Cricket Namibia is racing against time to complete the N$73 million stadium, essential for hosting both the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the senior men’s Cricket World Cup.
Namibia is set to host the U/19 World Cup in 2026, followed by the senior men’s World Cup the following year, in collaboration with South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The stadium, located next to the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium in Windhoek, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
It will be the venue for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The stadium will accommodate
7 500 people, with a total estimated project cost of N$73 million, inclusive of a performance practice facility next to the main field.
The main field will feature two commercial corners for sponsors and corporates to purchase suites, while the remaining ground will consist of grass banks offering prime sunset views and braai spots for the fans.
Essential amenities like an electronic scoreboard and replay screens, standard requirements for a cricket World Cup match, will be provided.
Johan Mullers, the CEO at CN, highlighted the pressing challenge they face regarding time, saying there is a need to ensure the stadium’s completion at least six months prior to the U/19 World Cup.
“One of our biggest challenges is the timeline,” he remarked.
“We need to have our venues ready six months before the U/19 World Cup in January 2026. That leaves us until August or September to finish all the buildings,” he said. Mullers further acknowledged that besides the timeline, financial constraints pose significant hurdles. Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in securing the required funds. “Raising N$73 million is quite a challenge,” Mullers admitted, “but we have been disciplined with our finances. If you look at where we are, we were not in the same financial position as we were in years ago; we had debts. However, we have various means to secure the funds, including sponsorships and TV rights to our games,” he said.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na