The incessant cries of the local sports fraternity for improved funding were finally answered when finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi during yesterday’s tabling of the national budget announced that the sports and youth ministry will receive an increased allocation of N$473.2 million for the coming 2023/24 fiscal period.
This allocation marks a steep increment of over N$140 million when compared to the N$330.9 million the ministry got in the last financial year.
Announcing the budget allocation yesterday in parliament, Shiimi said a large chunk of the allotment will be going towards the upgrading and renovation of the dilapidated Windhoek Independence stadium, which will see a total of N$162.5 million being reserved for the stadium over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
“Sports, youth and national service (ministry) will receive N$473.2 million and a total of N$1.4 billion over the MTEF period. The allocations made provision for a total of N$162.5 million for the renovation and upgrading of the Independence stadium in Windhoek over the MTEF. In January 2023, a Confederation of Africa Football (Caf) inspector conducted an inspection of the stadium, and a report is awaited in this regard. Accordingly, the procurement process will commence once the result of the mandatory Caf requirements are received and incorporated into the expression of interest,” Shiimi informed the August House.
Welcoming the improved allocation, Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said he was particularly excited with the prioritisation of the Independence stadium and government’s commitment to ensure work starts at the venue.
“It looks and sounds good so far, and we can only hope that this increment will translate into improved conditions for all our sports men and women. I was particularly impressed to see that the Independence stadium again enjoyed priority in the budget allocation. Work really has to start at the stadium because it is quite painful to see our beloved Brave Warriors playing their games away in South Africa and elsewhere. So, we now look forward to playing our role in helping government take its services and opportunities to all Namibians,” said Mwiya.
– ohembapu@nepc.com.na