From gaining One Day International (ODI) status for the first time in 16 years to qualifying for the ICC T20 World Cup Super-12 stage for the first time, Cricket Namibia (CN) has quietly built a blueprint for success, one that many other sports disciplines in the country can only dream of replicating.
From well-structured grassroots’ programmes to competitive performances on the international stage, CN has proved that with vision, planning and unity, Namibia can play with the best in the world.
Led by South African born administrator Johan Muller, CN has transformed. The federation has embraced corporate principles in its governance, established a clear development strategy, and cultivated a culture of excellence.
Muller has propelled the organisation to great heights and restored the overall image of local cricket, which saw more sponsors coming on board and funding CN’s various developmental programmes and national teams.
On the field performance, the two teams have seen a rise in world ranking, with the men’s senior team the Eagles being ranked 17th in the world while the women’s team is ranked 16th. This is a significant improvement, compared to 10 years ago when both teams would barely register in the top 50.
The Eagles have qualified for three World Cups, while the U/19 team has also achieved the same feat. Namibia was also awarded the rights to host the world in 2026 and 2027. Players in the men’s team started getting remuneration, marking their professional careers in Namibian history, and making cricket the first sport code in Namibia to award players professional contracts.
From almost nothing, Muller and his management team managed to bring over 30 sponsors on board for their various programmes, and Namibia’s overall performance on the field has improved. Their operations have earned them recognition, not just from the ICC, but from Namibian sports administrators as a model worth emulating.
“We’ve placed emphasis on both performance and development. Every national team is important, from U/13s to the Eagles. We’ve also ensured that the game reaches every corner of the country. We are now one of the highest-ranked teams in the world, something we didn’t achieve 10 years ago,” he shared in an interview.
Infrastructure and the World Cup race
One of the most ambitious undertakings is the construction of a N$73 million stadium in Windhoek, which is crucial for hosting the 2026 U/19 Men’s World Cup and co-hosting the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Zimbabwe. Recently, the association opened a high-performance centre at the same venue, allowing their top athletes to have full access to top equipment.
“The stadium and its development have been front and centre of our focus during our board meetings and discussions for the last four years. So, to get to a phase where you secure the income, you created the model, you’ve secured the contractors and the consultants, and you were able to produce an established building with exactly what you envisioned it to be, it was quite a monumental facility,” he said.
Talent development
In terms of talent development, countless development programmes were likewise birthed, which saw the sport of cricket reaching almost all corners of the country, especially schools. Through programmes like Kwata Cricket, Cricket4All, and robust school outreach efforts, the sport has made inroads in the townships and the most remote areas in the country, helping to push perceptions that cricket is only for a privileged few.
Junior national cricket teams now include players from all corners and races, a sign that the huge investments made in the past few years are finally paying off.
Since taking over, cricket has managed to reach all 14 regions of the country, reaching an astonishing number of 160 000 active primary school kids last year alone, which has seen those transforming from regular matches involving school-going children.
“One out of each half of every school-going kid has access to cricket, channelling those into real cricket matches from practicals. We have worked to ensure that many coaches were equipped with the necessary knowledge and all that,” he said.
National team: quietly making history
The senior men’s team, the Eagles, has seen a change in their ICC World rankings, climbing up their normal rankings, while earning respect through their consistent work on and off the field. One of their most memorable performances in ICC-organised tournaments includes winning against the Netherlands and Ireland, which officially put them on the world map.
While the women’s national team doesn’t yet enjoy the same spotlight, they too are steadily building momentum, with more competitive fixtures and development clinics being rolled out across the country.
“Our teams have performed exceptionally well, with the men qualifying for three World Cups, the women qualifying for the Women’s Super League, and the U/19 qualifying for the World Cup. Namibia was also given the rights to host two World Cups, which is a huge milestone,” he said.
-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na