With less than 24 hours before the 2024 National Youth Games kicks off, the organisers have assured participants, fans and stakeholders that they are 99% ready to host the event.

Organised by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), the National Youth Games were last held in 2020 in Rietfontein. After the main sponsors pulled out due to issues with the 2020 event, the annual games could not continue due to lack of resources. 

However, this year’s event marks their return, with the games set to begin tomorrow at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.

More than nine sports disciplines are expected to feature in the games, including netball, football, basketball, volleyball, boxing, athletics, karate and tennis. 

Unfortunately, swimming, e-sports and judo had to be excluded from the main event due to the host region’s inability to secure appropriate venues. 

These disciplines will now take place in Windhoek after the main games conclude.

Facilities

NSC marketing manager Givean Samulandela said the venues are ready, following inspections carried out by the minister of sport and the team on the ground. 

The Oshakati Independence Stadium, Oshana Gymnasium in Ongwediva and the Ondangwa Town Council Hall will be there venues for various sports.

“We have received positive feedback from our people on the ground. They told us that everything is 99% ready. The Independence Stadium will host football and athletics, while other disciplines will take place at venues within the three towns,” he said.

He added: “We have 15 sports codes for these games, but three of them will be hosted in Windhoek. This is because international sports, such as e-sports, require oversight from international bodies, and Windhoek has the necessary venues for that”.

Accommodation

Samulandela revealed that there are three accommodation villages for the athletes, located in Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa. 

Teams from distant regions, such as //Kharas, Zambezi and Otjozondjupa, had already departed and are expected to arrive today. 

The remaining teams will leave today, and are expected to arrive by tomorrow.

Catering services will be provided at the villages where athletes will be based, and at the Independence Stadium, which serves as the command centre for the event. 

“We have engaged a company that won the catering tender, and they will be stationed at the various venues to take care of the athletes,” he said.

Financial investment 

This year’s tournament will also help organisers select a team to represent Namibia at next year’s African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five Games, which Namibia will host. Samulandela said the sport ministry spent about N$6.7 million to organise the event.

“This is one of the biggest projects we’ve worked on, and we hope to have a successful tournament that gives our athletes the platform to showcase their abilities. A significant investment has been made, with the ministry contributing N$4 million and the Sports Commission, adding N$2.7 million to make these games possible,” he added.

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na