Maurice Kambukwe
President of the Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF), Nigel Mubita, has admitted that if Namibia does not seriously prioritise the construction of sport facilities at school and community levels, it will be impossible for the country to realise its full sporting potential.
Briefly chatting to New Era Sport yesterday, Mubita said the NBF has big plans of rolling out development programmes to the regions, especially to schools and youths in various communities, but the lack of adequate sport facilities across the country remains the biggest stumbling block.
Mubita, who was elected president last year and is also a former president of the Khomas Basketball Association (KBF), said the sport of basketball is yet to find its foothold in many communities across the country and this year, the NBF plans to reach out and wide.
For the NBF to achieve its developmental objectives, Mubita said he plans to establish new as well as strengthen existing relations with schools, town councils and private entities in order to bring about the desired development through smart partnerships – especially in the area of sport infrastructure.
“We are not happy with the state of basketball facilities at the moment, our goal is to improve and add facilities where we can in order to develop the sport of basketball. When you look at the state of sport infrastructure at schools, it calls for smart collaboration between all stakeholders in order to bring about the change. We want to see more young people partaking in basketball across the country, but without proper facilities, it will be impossible,” said Mubita.
Not just facilities, but Mubita also said funding is required to execute programmes that will reach the targeted group, which is the youth scattered all over the country.
“Everything comes down to sponsorship, for us to achieve all planned activities, it will require sponsorship. We are also looking at offering coaching clinics and life skills lessons to participants. When our activities start, we are also looking at airing some of our activities on NBC TV with the hope of bringing the game closer to all,” he added.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na