2024 ICC Development Awards: USA, Scotland, Bhutan, Namibia Among Top Global Winners  Female Cricket

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the achievements of athletes like Frank Fredericks and Helalia Johannes continue to motivate government investment in sport. She made the remarks at the official opening of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, which began on Friday. Nandi-Ndaitwah said sport is an essential part of the country’s development agenda,the potential to improve lives, drive economic growth, and promote peace and unity. “Just as agriculture nourishes bodies, sport nourishes souls, fosters healthy lifestyles, and generates immense economic opportunities,” she said. She also highlighted sport’s role in promoting regional integration.  “When our youth compete side by side, they build bonds of friendship and understanding that transcend borders. You are forging a future of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity for our continent,” she added.  She said this  vision aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which promotes a peaceful, integrated, and prosperous Africa.  “Sport is a cornerstone of this vision, empowering youth, promoting cultural exchange, and strengthening the very fabric of our continental unity,” she added. Nandi-Ndaitwah called on SADC member states to continue creating supportive environments for young people to thrive.  She urged governments to provide the necessary resources and policies to support youth, not only  in sport but across all sectors of life. “Their success is the assurance that ensures peaceful existence,” she said. Addressing young athletes, she encouraged them give their best during the games.  “Seize, and own this moment! Compete with integrity, showcase your extraordinary talents, and build lasting friendships. Let your dreams be a testament to your hard work, and a powerful statement of your potential for socio-economic advancement, not just for yourselves, but for your families and your nations.” “Africa with its natural resources is looking at you to play your part and make this continent a heaven of peace and prosperity for all. Have fun, make memories, and inspire us all,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. 

Education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp on Saturday conducted a meet-and-greet session with members of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), Namibia Boxing and Wrestling Control Board board members, the Namibia National Olympic Committee and NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya. The event was organised by the NSC and brought together key stakeholders in the sporting world. The minister said the gathering offered an opportunity to reaffirm everyone’s shared commitment to unity of purpose, coordination, and excellence in the development of sport in Namibia. “We meet not only to connect and engage, but to collectively re-energise our efforts towards building a vibrant and professionalised sport sector.”   “As we embark on a new year, I extend my best wishes to all of you for a productive and impactful year ahead. Let us approach 2025 with renewed vigor and an unwavering determination to uplift Namibian sport to greater heights,” she said. She said the ministry, under her stewardship, remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders as well as providing the necessary policy, leadership and support to enable transformation, professionalism and impact. “Let me reiterate the government’s unwavering commitment to the government implementation plan, as guided by the Swapo manifesto and further underscored by the president in the 2025 state of the nation address.”   Steenkamp said the ministry’s priorities are to upgrade and construct world-class sport infrastructure across all regions, to operationalise the sport development fund and to create employment opportunities and youth empowerment through sport.   “I am pleased to note that 57 registered sport bodies and six national umbrella bodies are affiliated with the Namibia Sports Commission. I am equally encouraged that entities such as the Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, the regulator for those disciplines, are also part of this session.” “This inclusive approach affirms our collective responsibility in ensuring that we work together, across all levels, towards a more integrated and professional sport environment,” she added. The post Steenkamp wants unity of purpose in sport appeared first on The Namibian.

Sport minister Sanet Steenkamp has reiterated president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s declaration that her administration will significantly invest in enhancing the sport industry. In her recent maiden state of the nation address, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government will construct seven new internationally-approved stadiums across six regions. This forms part of an ambitious project to professionalise Namibian sport, an avenue for employment and socio-economic emancipation. That ambition was backed up by Steenkamp who says 63% of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture’s N$1.2-billion budget is dedicated to sport development. She said this when motivating her ministry’s budget in parliament this week. “It is reflecting the ministry’s focus on enhancing sport performance and infrastructure,” Steenkamp said. She said a total of N$802 891 000 is allocated towards the development and promotion of sport across the country. “The ministry’s long-term goal, in line with the draft National Development Plan 6 and the Swapo Party Manifesto Implementation Plan, is to support the growth and professionalisation of sport in the country so as to increase the sport industry’s contribution to employment creation,” said Steenkamp. Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first woman president, said for the sport industry to deliver on its potential, it must include research and development, talent management, construction and marketing to create new opportunities and stimulating job creation. “The sport industry is a major part of the global economy. We should move away from looking at sport only as a recreation and entertainment but regard it as an avenue that can be harnessed to create sustainable livelihood and generate wealth, especially for the youth,” she said. The 30 000-seats stadiums will be constructed at Oshakati, Rundu, Windhoek, Outapi, Swakopmund, Eenhana and Keetmanshoop. Additionally, the government plans to construct 10 000 seating-capacity stadiums at Omuthiya, Mariental, Gobabis, Katima Mulilo, Otjiwarongo and Nkurenkuru. “The eighth administration will work towards the professionalisation of sport codes, targeted investment promotion and sport infrastructure development. To give effect to our agenda, the construction of these fields will commence during this financial year,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “The government, together with the public sector, will continue to invest in the professionalisation of sport leagues and hosting of international sport events.” The post Namibian sport takes political centre stage  appeared first on The Namibian.

Netball Namibia believes its partnership with the New Era Publication Corporation (NEPC) will elevate the sport in the country. The two entities yesterday signed an agreement in Windhoek which will see New Era becoming the MTC Namibia Netball Premiership’s official media partner for the upcoming season. This development is a shot in the arm for the sport which has ambitions of transforming its amateur setup to professional establishment, says Netball Namibia vice president Connie Samaria. “It’s great for us and our team. We are humbled to see that with the little we’ve been doing, we’ve been doing the right thing and that there are people out there that can see Netball is on the right track,” he says. The agreement centres around increased coverage of the 12-team premier league which starts in May, through dedicated editorial space on all New Era platforms and live streaming matches. “A lot of supporters of the participating clubs cannot make their way to support their teams during each and every round as they unfold,” Samaria says. “What this partnership really means is that all supporters, all netball lovers, would be able to follow top quality netball and know what’s going on with their team and support them using the digital platforms that this partnership would be bringing to the premiership,” he continues. “The league is responsible for ensuring that we market the league, we market the players, we make sure that we expose our teams and our players to the greater Namibian population as well as to those abroad. “Netball Namibia wants to express our sincere thanks and gratitude towards this partnership. We welcome it with open arms and we look forward to a productive, friendly, cordial working relationships as we embark upon the operationalisation of this memorandum of understanding.” This increase in visibility will allow Netball Namibia to attract investors and realise its target of becoming a professional code, says NEPC chief executive Christof Maletsky. “We believe that with this partnership, Netball Namibia, and especially the premiership, will reach areas far and wide, and not just confined to Namibia, but to the outside world,” Maletsky notes. “And that will give the necessary exposure so that we see more players being employed. We have seen some players being employed, some coaches being employed by some of the organisations, because of their skill.” Samaria says there are around 240 players and officials signed to the 12 premier league clubs at present. The clubs are able to offer incentives through a monthly grant from the league to enable them to participate and honour their activities. He is confident that these numbers will increase as the sport code continues to grow its footprint. He says it goes a long way in employment creation as a lot of the players are young. “It might not be at the level where we would want it to be, but for us, it’s that small stipend that a player or coach or team manager earns from this local club that makes a difference and moves us in the right direction.” The national sport body signalled its intention to professionalise by appointing a full-time secretary general in October last year. Sofia Simon’s appointment was made possible through the Namibian government’s Harambee Prosperity Plan II under goal four of the social progression pillar, which concerns improved access to quality education and sport administered under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. The post Netball Namibia pairs up with New Era appeared first on The Namibian.

Ballotti calls for increased support to grow Volleyball in Namibia Sport Fri, 04/25/2025 - 09:32

The netball fraternity has come out to show praise for the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup’s role in elevating the sport to greater hights. In 2018, netball became an addtional sport code to the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup that only focused on football before 2018. Since then, the tournament has been used as a talent scouting platform to select players to their under-19 team and eventually the senior national team, the Desert Jewels. Honorary member of Netball Namibia Issa Donell expresses her satisfaction with the tournament over the years and how the sport has evolved as being part of it. “After observing the Newspaper Cup, it has grown from 2018 up until now. I can even see the way the selections are going in the various regions, there is really competition,” she says. She also told The Namibian she was optimistic about the impact of this tournament on the sport. “I think after this event, 20 or 30 players that will be identified for the under-19 team will be a very strong group. We are seeing the future in netball. People are really working in the regions.” Former sports minister Agnes Tjongarero on Friday noted the sport improvement through the years. “You know that the standard has improved so much,” she said. “We are really enjoying the netball.” Tjongarero also encouraged younger players to attend the tournament. “The younger ladies must come and watch so they can see how the things are being done.” Former vice chairperson of //Kharas regional schools netball Suzelle Cloete on Saturday applauded the tournament for the way it was organised. “The planning and organising of the committees was done quite well,” she said. Cloete said she was particularly impressed with the Kunene region’s execution. “I also want to applaud the regional council of the Kunene region, the local authority that was involved in getting everything in order here,” she said. She highlighted the quality of the facilities at the Outjo Sport Stadium. “The facilities here are what we expected. What we saw here wasn’t like in other towns. I would say job well done, it’s really good,” she added. The post Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup praised by netball community appeared first on The Namibian.

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has secured sponsorship for all 14 regional teams set to compete in the 2025 Nedbank Newspaper Cup. Ballotti announced on Thursday that betting company Pstbet will provide N$10 000 to each regional team to cover expenses for the Easter Youth Tournament, which will be hosted in Outjo during the Easter weekend. The announcement follows reports that the Ohangwena regional team was stranded without funds for accommodation, playing kits, and extra tracksuits.  The team’s old gear was reportedly taken by previous officials who had managed the squad in earlier tournaments. Ballotti thanked Pstbet for its consistent support toward youth sport development. “When we talk of corporate citizens who truly prioritise sport, one company comes to mind. When we talk of heeding the call to support young people and being inclusive, again, one company comes to mind. After a few calls last night, one company said they would only support if everyone benefits, and that company, which has committed a grant of N$10,000 to each of our 14 regions, is none other than Pstbet. On behalf of all 14 regions, on behalf of the boy and girl child, we say thank you and thank you again,” he said. He also announced that teams from the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto regions will receive fuel support from Oshali Fuel Supply to assist with transportation to the tournament. “Good news should never be delayed. Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and the Oshikoto regional teams will receive a full fuel tank (bus tank) as a donation towards their Newspaper Cup journey, with special thanks to Oshali Fuel Supply,” Ballotti said.

IOC president says Namibia doing right by sport  The Namibian -

[Namibian] The directorates of sport, youth, national service within the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Sports, Youth, National Service, Arts, and Culture received a significant boost, with a N$1.3 billion budget allocation for the 2025/26 financial year.

Corporate invovolve in Sport for growth Sport Fri, 03/28/2025 - 11:14