Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Former Netball Namibia president Rebecca Goagoses hopes the planned construction of sports stadiums in all 14 regions will include netball courts.
This follows the announcement by Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, that N$35 million has been allocated to build stadiums in each region during the 2025/26 financial year.
Steenkamp said the stadiums will meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) category two standards, and each will have 10,000 seats.
Goagoses, who currently serves as acting Netball Africa president, has long raised concerns over the lack of proper netball courts in Namibia.
She urged the government and local authorities to make land available for netball courts to help grow the sport.
She said she has been pushing for the upgrading of sports facilities across the country to ensure that all netball players can participate and show their talent.
“This upgrade should include world-class standard facilities; we have to move away from providing netball courts with just lines and cement surfaces. Athletes must be protected from heat and unforced injuries. I’m very happy and excited about the announcement of the allocation of funds for infrastructure development in the hope that netball is included,” she said.
She added that Netball Namibia is ready to assist with providing accurate court measurements and standards required by World Netball.
“Indoor facilities should be equipped with sprung floors as required; it’s almost like you upgrade a stadium without grass to play on. From Africa’s perspective, we welcome this gesture and trust that Namibia will be hosting world-class netball events following up on the recent Africa championship hosted by Namibia in December 2024,” said Goagoses.
The government also plans to start building and renovating seven CAF category three stadiums, each with 30,000 seats, in Oshakati, Rundu, Windhoek (Independence Stadium), Outapi, Swakopmund, Eenhana, and Keetmanshoop.
The six CAF category two stadiums, each with 10 000 seats, will be built in Omuthiya, Mariental, Gobabis, Katima Mulilo, Otjiwarongo, and Nkurenkuru.
