An amount of N$4 million is required to successfully host this year’s National Youth Games. 

Freddy Mwiya, the chief administrator at the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) revealed this.

 Mwiya said that the money is needed to cover various logistical costs such as catering, transportation and driver salaries.

 Often referred to as the local Olympics, the National Youth Games will be held this year from 11 to 15 September in the northern town of Oshakati. The games were not held last year due to financial constraints. 

The event was initially planned for Windhoek, but due to a lack of proper facilities in the capital, the organising committee decided to move it to the northern part of the country, where they believe Oshakati has better facilities to host the games.

This year, the games return with the launch set for tomorrow at Oshakati Guest House, where various dignitaries from different entities are expected to speak.

“Our ministry has indeed done that’s possible to support hosting these games. However, we look forward to additional support from the north,” said Mwiya.

“We would need about N$1.4 million for catering services,”. “We would also need to cover accommodation for officials, equipment, and costs for all the drivers who will be part of the tournament transporting athletes to and from Oshakati. A total of N$500 000 has already been allocated to the teams to cater for their preparations as the dates draw closer.”

 Also speaking on the importance of the games to their region and town, Leonard Hango, the mayor of Oshakati, commended the ministry for choosing Oshakati as the host town. 

“I firstly want to thank the ministry of sport for choosing Oshana region to stage these prestigious games,” Hango said. “Hosting the games will translate into a lot of economic benefits for the region and the three towns: Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa. The hospitality industry will benefit immensely from this tournament. Moreover, I think the tournament will also strive to leave a legacy behind, as many children will be inspired to take up various sporting activities after the games,” he said. 

Usually, the games feature sport codes such as football, netball, volleyball, basketball, boxing, tennis, athletics and para-sport.

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na