National Youth Games cancelled

The 2023 National Youth Games that were scheduled for December this year have been cancelled because the contractual agreement with the main sponsor has expired.

Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya this week told Desert Radio the contract agreement signed between the NSC and national telecommunication giant MTC in 2020 has become obsolete.

“The 2018 youth games were fully sponsored by the government, but we were very fortunate to have entered into an agreement with MTC in 2020 for a three-year period.

“The MTC sponsorship has expired, but we thank the company for a job well done in sponsoring the youth games,” he said.

Minister of sport, youth and national service Agnes Tjongarero said: “From the side of the ministry we were only requested for transportation of athletes and officials by making buses available.

“We were also tasked with the payment of the drivers’ travelling allowances and accommodation.

“Unfortunately I do not know what happened between the NSC and the sponsor, but I heard the sponsor withdrew.

“That was the other chunk of the expenses which is gone. Now we are already in December, where are we going to find another sponsor?

“This year’s youth games are cancelled unless somebody comes and says I stand in to sponsor the games.”

Mwiya said: “We were just trying to renegotiate the contract. The sponsor did not withdraw, the contract only expired.

“We looked at the possibility of renewing the contract, and we are awaiting their communication.”

He thanked MTC for what the company has done, and said the NSC is looking forward to coming on board and continuing with good work in the development of youth sport.

“It’s unfortunate, because most of the sponsorship came from MTC – over N$100 million. From the government we had an allocation of N$1,5 million to ensure the youth games can go on.”

Despite the setback and cancellation of the National Youth Games, the NSC chief said the commission is proactive and has decided to host the games next year.

“The honourable minister announced the cancellation, and she will be able to advise us on the way forward, but we have made plans already and are communicating with the line ministry to see how best we can source funds.

“These are very important national developments, and we have engaged some corporations. Let us not blame MTC.

“The company has done its part, and we cannot always rely on corporates, but we must come up with mechanisms because these are our games.”

Mwiya said a Namibian team to represent the country at the African Union Sport Council Region 5 Games is normally selected at the youth games.

He said the region 5 council of sport ministers will meet in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Friday to select the host nation.

The commission will wait for communication from the minister on the decisions taken in Lilongwe, he said.