Hesron Kapanga 

Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) Dinno Ballotti has called on corporates and the private sector to form a consortium to help fund football in Namibia.

He made the appeal in Parliament on Thursday on behalf of education minister Sanet Steenkamp. 

This follows high-level consultations involving Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete, Debmarine Namibia and the leadership of the Namibia Football Association.

Ballotti reminded the nation that even the strongest corporate partners operate within a global economic environment shaped by forces beyond their control.

“Debmarine Namibia, which has invested N$49 million in the Namibian Premiership over the past three years and more than N$112 million in sport in general over the past seven years, finds itself in an unfavourable financial position to renew its sponsorship at this time,” he said.

The deputy minister added that this development poses a funding challenge for the commencement of the Namibian Premiership Football League (NPFL). 

He stressed that this should not be seen as an impasse but rather as a reflection of the prevailing tough economic climate.

“As a government and ministry, we wish to commend and acknowledge Debmarine Namibia for their extraordinary contribution to football in recent years. Equally, we applaud MTC for their longstanding commitment to the men’s game, Namport for its support to our lower leagues and many other corporates who have assisted the beautiful game,” Ballotti added.

He informed the August House that MEIYSAC is urging the private sector and corporate Namibia to support the Football Association in forming a consortium of companies to collectively raise at least N$20 million. 

This is to ensure that the country’s top-flight league resumes without delay.

“I wish to stress that this is not government interference, but government intervention. We are acting responsibly to safeguard the continuity of our nation’s most loved sport. Football is played in all 121 constituencies and unites Namibians across every divide,” he stated.

Ballotti emphasised that football represents hope for Namibian children, inspiration for the youth and the glue that binds the country’s social fabric. 

“It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to ensure that football continues,” he said.

The deputy minister announced that football must commence, while appealing to the private sector to find ways to provide support at this critical juncture. 

“It gives me great pleasure to confirm that our caring government has resolved today to allocate N$10 million towards the NPFL,” he said.