President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said her administration will work towards the professionalisation of sport codes, targeted investment promotion and sport infrastructure development.

In her State of the Nation address in Parliament last week, the Head of State said the sport industry includes research and development, talent management, construction and marketing, creating many new business opportunities and stimulating job-creation.

“We should move away from looking at sport as recreation and entertainment only. 

We must regard sport as an avenue that should be harnessed to create sustainable livelihoods and generate wealth, especially for youth,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.

She announced the construction of various sport facilities in different parts of the country. Finance minister Erica Shafudah has allocated N$1.3 billion to sport, youth and national service for the financial year 2025/26.

Category two stadiums with a capacity of 10 000 seats will be constructed at Omuthiya, Mariental, Gobabis, Katima Mulilo, Otjiwarongo and Nkurenkuru.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said there are plans to construct and renovate seven category three stadiums with a capacity of 30 000 seats at Oshakati, Rundu, Eenhana and Keetmanshoop as well as the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

“We will also construct multi-purpose youth centres at Mariental, Nkurenkuru and Opuwo. An amount of N$200 million has been allocated for basic sport facilities,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that government and the private sector will continue to invest in professional sport leagues as well as the hosting of international events. 

– Nampa