2016-02-24Staff Report 2 Keetmanshoop Keetmanshoop Stadium will be expanded at a cost of over N$1 million to add additional facilities. The expansion will see a new mini rugby field, two tennis courts and two netball courts, one hockey field, six jukskei fields and an ablution block, to be constructed at a cost of N$1.2 million. AngloAmerica Namibia Foundation (AANF) are the main sponsors and will carry 85 percent of the total cost, while Keetmanshoop Private School will pay 25 percent of the cost (N$180 000). Keetmanshoop Municipality will provide technical assistance, project management support and settle the water and electricity bill, as well as provide additional manpower and equipment when needed. Officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency Councillor and Veterans Affairs Deputy Minister Hilma Nikanor said improving the facility is a good step and urged that the facility be available for use by everyone. She said sport plays an important role in shaping positive attributes in young people, as well as instilling discipline among the youth. It is now up to the young people of Keemanhoop to make use of the facility and flourish in different sport codes, she said. Nikanor also called on Keetmanshoop Private School to accommodate every learner that wants and qualifies to be enrolled at the school in order to foster unity, saying the school should not be seen as wanting to admit only a certain group of people. “It should be open to each and every child and not only cater for some children,” she said. Manager of AANF Richard Cook said the corporate world has an important role to play in developing the areas they operate in, saying the government cannot be the only player to bring about infrastructural development. He urged corporate entities to make sustainable corporate social investments in their areas of business, adding that AANF will continue to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged communities. Chief executive officer of Keetmanshoop Municipality Desmond Basson welcomed the move to improve the stadium, adding that the municipality will remain the custodian and will administer and will manage the facility, while highlighting that it is open to every individual in the community. 2016-02-24Staff Report 2
