President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed her government’s commitment to developing sports infrastructure in Namibia, with a focus on football.
She made these remarks at the Brave Warriors fundraising gala dinner held on Saturday in Windhoek.
During her speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah reflected on the recent launch of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
She described the plan as a comprehensive roadmap for national progress, where sport development stands as a top priority.
“We recognise the transformative power of sport, not just for physical well-being, but for national cohesion, youth empowerment, economic benefit and promoting Namibia on the global stage,” she said. One of the major concerns highlighted was the lack of adequate stadium infrastructure in the country, which has prevented the Brave Warriors and other national teams from playing international matches on home soil for the past five years.
“This challenge has deprived our passionate fans of the thrill of live football and other exciting sport events,” added the Head of State.
In response, the NDP6 outlines specific actions to address this issue.
The President announced that five Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category 3 stadiums will be built in the //Kharas, Erongo, Oshana, Kavango East and Khomas regions.
Additionally, each of the country’s 14 regions will receive a CAF Category 2 stadium, while all 121 constituencies will be equipped with basic sport facilities. “This is not merely about laying bricks. It is about restoring national pride and providing our athletes with world-class facilities,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She highlighted the importance of supporting the Brave Warriors, calling football the most followed sport in Namibia.
“Participation in a FIFA Football World Cup is the ultimate yardstick of a country’s footballing skill. It is the pinnacle of achievement. It is where the Brave Warriors belong,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah commended the Brave Warriors for performing on the world stage.
“Our Brave Warriors are currently just four matches away from making history. Let us be clear: these will not be easy matches. They will test their resolve, skill, character and unity. However, with our collective backing, they can overcome any challenge,” she said.
The gala dinner aimed to raise funds to support the national team’s preparations for upcoming international competitions, including World Cup qualifiers.
During the gala dinner, the First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah pledged N$5 000.
First National Bank Namibia’s CEO of retail Nangula Kauluma announced a pledge of N$500 000 towards the Brave Warriors’ World Cup campaign.
She expressed pride in FNB’s ongoing support for sport, noting that over the past three years, the bank has invested N$26.5 million in the sector, with N$7.5 million specifically directed towards women’s football.
President of the Namibia Football Association Robert Shimooshili pledged N$50 000 to the Brave Warriors.