Hilma Nalupe
Namibia and Germany have taken a step to continue fostering youth development through sports, formalising the extension of a partnership that has spanned three decades. The renewed agreement focuses on strengthening athletic training, school collaboration, and cross-cultural learning opportunities for young people in both countries.
A Namibian delegation this week travelled to Germany to formalise the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture and the Fussball-Und Leichtathletik Verband Westfalen E.V. The agreement includes provisions for a Youth Sport Exchange Programme as well as a school twinning initiative linking German and Namibian schools.
The partnership, which began in 1995, has been instrumental in shaping both sports and education opportunities for young people. Over the years, it has produced remarkable sporting talent, including footballers Razundara Tjikuzu, Colin Benjamin, and Awilo Stephanus, among others.
Representing Namibia at the signing were Executive Director Gerard Norman Vries; Deputy Director for School Sports Irvine Ndjavera; Senior Sport Officer Roger Kambatuku; Director for Programmes and Quality Assurance Ayesha Wentworth; and Director of Finance Levinia Karises.
The Youth Sport Exchange Programme has given young athletes access to advanced training, international competition, and intercultural learning experiences, helping to broaden horizons and strengthen sporting excellence.
The renewed partnership sets the stage for a new generation of athletes and students to benefit from world-class coaching and educational exchanges. Both Namibia and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to providing opportunities that inspire young people to reach their full potential, both in sport and beyond.