OPINION: Namibia needs annual sports tournament to unlock potential

Namibia is a country full of potential, blessed with natural resources, resilient people and a vibrant youth population. Yet, when we cast our eyes toward the sporting arena, our nation is not performing to the level it should.Whether it is football, rugby, cricket, tennis, golf, basketball, swimming, athletics, e-sports, or even traditional games, Namibia often struggles to compete on the international stage. Does this mean we have no talented individuals?Absolutely not. Namibia is teeming with talent. The problem lies in exposure, opportunities and platforms for nurturing these gifts. Too many Namibians die with unfulfilled potential and too many of our youth resort to alcohol, drugs and crime simply because there is nothing constructive to keep them engaged.This is why the sports minister Sanet Steenkamp must urgently consider establishing an Annual National Sports Tournament across all codes of sport. Such an initiative would not only revive Namibia’s sporting culture but also bring economic, social and developmental benefits to the entire nation.Young people are our greatest assetNamibia’s young people are its greatest asset, but many are falling through the cracks. Without structured activities to occupy their time, large numbers of youth drift into destructive habits. Sports have always been a powerful tool for discipline, teamwork and character-building.By organising an annual tournament, the sports ministry would provide thousands of young people across the country with an avenue to channel their energy positively. Instead of loitering in shebeens or experimenting with drugs, they would be on the pitch, the court, the field, or even behind a gaming console competing in e-sports.Every community needs positive distractions and structured sports competitions can do for Namibia what similar initiatives have done elsewhere: reduce crime, curb substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles.Namibia has already produced outstanding sports stars. Peter Shalulile has made a name for himself in South African football. We have had global stars like Frank Fredericks and Harry Simon and Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin prove that Namibians can compete at the highest levels.What we lack is systematic scouting, nurturing and exposure. Boxer Harry Simon became a world champion representing Namibia globally. These are just a few shining examples, but how many more Shaluliles and Fredericks are out there waiting to be discovered?Fragmented and inconsistentCurrently, talent scouting is fragmented and inconsistent. European football academies and South African PSL teams come looking for Namibians, but how can they scout properly if no large-scale competitions are happening?An annual national tournament would bring the best talents from all 14 regions together in one arena or one sporting event, where coaches, scouts and sports clubs could identify and nurture them. This would ensure that Namibia is no longer invisible in global sports.Imagine Namibia sending more athletes to the Olympics, producing professional rugby and basketball players, or creating e-sport champions who compete on the world stage. Talent exists, but without structured exposure, it withers in silence.The Namibian government has allocated N$1.3 billion to sport in the 2025/26 budget, a commitment that inspires optimism. As part of its national development goals, the government aims to expand and upgrade sporting facilities across the country, promoting youth empowerment and long-term sports development.The Strategic Plan highlights the importance of building essential infrastructure, including basic facilities in every region, to create a more enabling environment for athletes. However, modern stadiums, fields and courts serve little purpose if they remain underutilised. Infrastructure without active use is a missed opportunity.Inclusivity and participationBy introducing an annual tournament, these facilities would come alive. The annual sports tournament should take place once a year, hosted by a single region, until we finish all 14 regions to ensure inclusivity and participation.The excitement and visibility of such events would justify the government’s spending and encourage further investment in sporting infrastructure.The initiative should kick off in the Khomas Region, starting with Windhoek, the nation’s heart and administrative capital. Thanks to its strong infrastructure and accessibility, Windhoek offers the perfect foundation for launching such a landmark event. Afterwards, the tournament could rotate annually across the other regions, guaranteeing inclusivity and equal benefits.We look to leaders such as Khomas governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Jr. to drive this vision forward in partnership with key stakeholders. This is not just a matter of policy, it is about vision, determination and a true commitment to Namibia’s youth.A powerful driver of economic growthSports are not just about competition; they are also a powerful driver of economic growth. Take MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Bonanza of 19 March 2022 in Helao Nafidi. With a theme of “Together as One Part 6,” a tournament was staged by the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy to celebrate Namibia’s 32nd Independence anniversary.The event attracted people from Ohangwena and surrounding areas, filling every hotel and guesthouse. Local businesses, from food vendors to taxi drivers, benefited enormously.Now imagine this happening on a larger scale, across multiple sports and in an entire region, every single year. Entire regions would experience an economic boom. Entrepreneurs would find opportunities in catering, merchandising, security and logistics.Media houses would secure broadcasting rights and students studying journalism could gain exposure by commentating. Sports tourism would flourish as Namibians travel across the country to support their teams. The ripple effects would be felt nationwide: more jobs, more entrepreneurship and stronger local economies.Strengthen national cohesionSport has a unique ability to unite people across tribal, regional and political divides. When Namibia plays internationally, we cheer together as one nation. An annual tournament would replicate this feeling locally, bringing communities together in celebration of sport and talent.Imagine Khomas facing off against Oshana in basketball, or Zambezi clashing with Erongo in football. The pride of representing one’s region would inspire young athletes, while spectators would find joy in supporting their local heroes. This would strengthen national cohesion and foster a culture of patriotism.In today’s digital era, sport extends far beyond traditional games. E-sports, now a multi-billion-dollar global industry, present enormous opportunities for growth. Flip de Bruyn, president of the Namibian Electronic Sports Association (Nesa) and the newly announced Swapo candidate for Windhoek East in the upcoming regional and local elections, has rightly highlighted that e-sports, if properly recognised, could generate significant employment and economic opportunities in Namibia.Including e-sports in the national tournament would put Namibia on the global digital map. Gamers could compete locally before representing the nation internationally, while tech entrepreneurs and sponsors could tap into this growing market. This inclusion would also show that Namibia is forward-looking and adaptable to modern sporting trends.Funded through partnershipsCritics may ask: how will this ambitious project be funded? The answer is simple: this will be made possible through partnerships. Namibia is home to numerous multinational companies in financial, mining, fishing, energy, FMCG, aviation, maritime and fashion and clothing lines.Through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, donations and ethical funding schemes, these companies can help bankroll this national project, and they would not only uplift communities but also gain positive publicity.While non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will focus on youth development, health, or community engagement could also come on board as partners. Let’s not forget the power of public-private partnerships.Additionally, NGOs, local businesses and international donors could contribute. Broadcasting rights, ticket sales and merchandising would generate additional revenue streams. With proper marketing and management, the tournament could become self-sustaining within a few years.While sports take centre stage, let us not forget that arts, culture and media are equally vital. Annual music concerts, drama shows and comedy festivals should be included in this broader vision.Our content creators, musicians and actors also deserve national platforms to grow. After all, the sports ministry is not only about sport – it also has a mandate to support the arts and culture.By merging sports and entertainment, we can create a festival atmosphere that appeals to all Namibians, young and old, rural and urban. This is how you build a vibrant national identity. The benefits of such a tournament should not stop with sports. The same model could be applied to other creative industries music, comedy, drama, and digital content creation.A catalyst for national prideNamibia is at a crossroads. We can continue watching our youth waste away in drugs and crime, or we can provide them with opportunities to dream, compete and succeed. An Annual National Sports Tournament organised by the government, particularly the sports ministry, would be more than just a sporting event it would be a catalyst for social transformation, economic development and national pride.It would keep our youth off the streets, help us discover world-class talent, bring life to government infrastructure, stimulate local economies and unite our people. It would also create new opportunities for media, entrepreneurship and the creative industries.We need more Peter Shaluliles, more Frank Fredericks and more Harry Simons. But to produce them, we must act now. Namibia has the talent and the potential. What we lack is the platform. The sports ministry must take the bold step of creating this platform for all sports codes and in doing so, it will revive not only our sporting future but also our national spirit.*Hosea Shishiveni is a Namibian scholar, researcher and ringside organiser at MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing & Fitness Academy. He can be reached at hoseasn8@gmail.com.Disclaimer: Views expressed in this segment are not necessarily those of Sport Wrap. The editors reserve the right to abridge original texts.

OPINION: Namibia needs annual sports tournament to unlock potential

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