Govt funding freeze ‘setback’ for sport
Namibia’s sport bodies have slammed the government’s decision to suspend all financial support to recognised sport federations and umbrella organisations, describing it is an “undoubtedly serious setback”. Stakeholders say the decision threatens athlete development, competitions and employment opportunities across the country. This comes after the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture suspended […] The post Govt funding freeze ‘setback’ for sport appeared first on The
Namibia’s sport bodies have slammed the government’s decision to suspend all financial support to recognised sport federations and umbrella organisations, describing it is an “undoubtedly serious setback”.
Stakeholders say the decision threatens athlete development, competitions and employment opportunities across the country.
This comes after the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture suspended all requests for financial support to sport bodies and sport umbrella organisations, citing mounting financial constraints.
This is contained in a letter dated 15 June from executive director Gerard Vries, which instructs the Namibia Sports Commission to communicate the decision to all recognised sport bodies with immediate effect.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah had stated that sport is listed among her priority areas.
In April, the ministry set aside approximately N$13.5 million for sport development programmes, including N$5 million for mass participation sport programmes, N$3 million for participation in regional games, N$2 million for the Namibia Annual Sport Awards, N$1 million for sport equipment and N$2.5 million to support the professionalisation of sport.
