Allexer Namundjembo
The government has announced a N$10 million injection into the Namibian Premiership Football League (NPFL) after Debmarine Namibia confirmed it would not renew its sponsorship.
The announcement was made in parliament on Thursday by the deputy minister of sports, Dino Balloti, delivering a ministerial statement on behalf of Minister Sanet Steenkamp.
Debmarine has invested N$49 million in the premiership over the past three years, according to Balloti.
He added that the company has put more than N$112 million into sport over the last seven years but is no longer in a financial position to continue its support.
“This development presents us with a funding challenge for the commencement of the NPFL. However, let it be clear to this House and to the Namibian public: this is not an impasse but rather a reflection of a tough economic climate,” he said.
He praised Debmarine for its contribution to football and commended MTC for its longstanding support of men’s football and Namport for assisting lower-tier leagues.
“I wish to stress that this is not government interference. This is government intervention, where we are acting responsibly to safeguard the continuity of our nation’s most loved sport,” Balloti said.
The deputy minister highlighted football’s reach across the country.
“Football is played in all 121 constituencies. It unites Namibians across social divides,” he said.
He called on the private sector to step in.
“This is a clarion call to the private sector and corporate Namibia to assist the Football Association in forming a consortium of companies that can collectively raise at least N$20 million to ensure that our top-tier league resumes without delay,” he said.
Balloti described football as “the hope for the Namibian child, the inspiration for our youth and the glue that binds our social fabric.”
For years, Namibian football has relied heavily on private sponsorship.
Sports officials have often called for improved sponsorship and better management of funds.
Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Robert Shimooshili previously appealed to companies to invest in competitions like the NFA Cup, which gives smaller clubs the chance to face top-tier teams.
The league is estimated to require N$35 million to operate effectively.
Debmarine Namibia chief executive officer Willy Mertens said sponsors must be valued and engaged properly, stressing that inadequate communication and respect for them could threaten future investments.
