Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Senior sports administrators in the Ohangwena region have rejected claims in the newly launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) that the Eenhana Sports Stadium is complete.
They say the facility is far from finished.
An administrator, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said he recently visited the site and found that only the pavilion appears complete.
“I passed by the stadium a week ago. There is still a lot that needs to be done. I only saw people cleaning. The pavilion might be done, but everything else is far from complete,” he said.
He accused those who compiled the NDP6 document of misleading the President and the public.
“They are making her speak about things that are not there. They didn’t even visit the site. They just wrote the document without knowing the reality on the ground.”
The administrator said Ohangwena lacks proper sports infrastructure and does not have a stadium capable of hosting national events like the annual Newspaper Cup.
“This stadium has been under construction since 2007. That’s nearly 20 years. We thought it would be complete by now, so we could bid to host the Newspaper Cup. But there is no progress. How can such a small stadium take almost 20 years? Our leaders must be honest and tell the public the truth.”
NDP6, launched this week by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, claims Namibia has made notable strides in sport development, naming the Eenhana Sports Stadium as a key project.
The plan outlines national goals for the 2025/26 to 2029/30 financial years, focusing on economic growth, inclusiveness, and sustainability.
It recognises sport as a tool for social transformation and development, with infrastructure projects playing a central role.
The NDP6 document also states that Namibia has 57 recognised sport codes, with five, cricket, rugby, boxing, netball, and football, achieving professionalisation.
However, most athletes, coaches, and administrators involved in these sports still rely on full-time jobs or businesses and do not earn a living from sport alone.
The plan further notes that 22 schools in Ohangwena and one in Windhoek had their sports facilities upgraded and describes this as a key milestone.
It also mentions the development of a Physical Education curriculum and the launch of the Namibia Sport Development Index as progress in tracking talent and the contribution of sport to national development.
NDP6 highlights Namibia’s participation in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, nine Olympic Games (earning five silver medals), and four Paralympic Games (securing three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals).
It also cites the national rugby team’s qualification for seven Rugby World Cups and the cricket team’s appearances in three Cricket World Cups.
Newly appointed Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said she is currently out of office and will provide an update on the stadium construction upon her return.
