By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK – History is in the making when the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany embarks on yet another venture on Namibian soil – for the umpteenth time – with plans underway for the construction of a classroom for the Basketball Artists School (BAS).
The ground-breaking ceremony for the building of the classroom will officially be held today at the Katutura Sports Complex at 15h00, with a symbolic turning of the sod by German Ambassador to Namibia, Onno Hukmann, and the Namibian Acting Director of Sport, Norii Kaanjuka.
High-profile dignitaries from the Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF) and the BAS will also be in attendance.
BAS is an after-school programme focusing on academic and life skills tutoring and basketball under the motto, “Education first – basketball second” with the ultimate objective to enable less-privileged children to have a better future.
Currently, 45 children between the ages of 11 and 16 attend the programme.
Since BAS did not have its own facilities to ensure daily support for the children, fundraising activities started in 2011, which resulted in donations of N$550 000 flowing in from private German sponsors.
In addition, via its micro-project fund, the German Embassy contributed N$342 000 – bringing the total budget close to N$900 000.
The building with a floor area measuring 180 square metres includes two classrooms, two locker rooms with sanitary facilities, a kitchen and office. A verandah of 90 square metres will also be built.