Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The sports fraternity in the Ohangwena region wants the government to set clear deadlines for the start and completion of promised sports infrastructure.
Ohangwena Regional Sport Commission vice chairperson Alexander Teofelus requested on Friday during a meeting between regional leaders and deputy minister of sport Dino Ballotti in Eenhana.
The meeting was part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen collaboration with grassroots sports leaders and to identify challenges and opportunities in regional sports development.
Teofelus said the region faces several challenges, including a lack of sports infrastructure, equipment, and qualified trainers.
These problems, he said, are hindering sports development.
He said it was a relief when the government announced that each region would get a stadium, but they now need a clear budget plan and timeline.
“Some of our recommendations are the acceleration of completion plans for sport infrastructures; we want a clear timeline, budget status and accountability mechanism. Public-private partnership, engagement of local businesses through tax incentives or branding opportunities for sponsorship. Deputy minister, we want to institutionalise a regional sports coaches and stakeholders’ forum to review progress and challenges,” said Teofelus.
Teofelus added that they also want coaches’ development and recognition to support and reward coaches who have contributed to sports development in the region over the years.
Ballotti responded that each region will receive an equal share of the national sports budget as planned.
He said no region will get more funding than another, even though some regions are larger or have bigger populations.
“I want to confirm to you today that when we give funding, it will be given to regions equally. There will be no such thing as Ohangwena getting the last cents from the budget. That is a commitment I am very comfortable making. If a N$10 budget is allocated to one region, then each region will get that same N$10; there will be no such thing as one region being prioritised over the other one; that will not happen,” emphasised Ballotti.
Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Sport announced plans to allocate N$35 million for the construction of sports stadiums across all 14 regions.
Each stadium will feature a seating capacity of 10 000.
This initiative is part of the ministry’s N$1.2 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
