PDM, Swapo promises state-of-the-art sport facilities if voted into power

Both the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and Swapo have promised to build state-of-the-art sport facilities across the country if voted into power in the upcoming elections.

The two parties made these promises in their manifestos launched about few weeks ago.

PDM promised to build ten multi-purpose sport centres in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Keetmanshoop, Oshakati, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Opuwo, Otjiwarongo, Gobabis and Mariental by 2030.

Meanwhile, Swapo promised to construct basic sport facilities in all 121 constituencies, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) grade two facility in all 14 regions and five grade three sport facilities to cater for international sport.

Speaking during a rally at Otjiwarongo on Sunday, PDM president McHenry Venaani said apart from building the ten stadiums, the party will also identify talent at a grassroots level and offer the necessary support for athletes to thrive in their respective sporting disciplines.

“We condemn the fact that our national team must go and play ‘home’ games in South Africa, and in the process flush millions of dollars down the drain, as the taxpayer is burdened by the cost thereof. This is the reality of a failed government instigated by a ruling party that treats the country like its own personal playground,” Venaani said. While launching the party manifesto in the Zambezi region last month, Venaani said such sport facilities will fill the critical gap the country is currently experiencing with stadiums and other sport facilities.

“PDM will proportionally increase the budget for sport, youth and culture to meet the growing needs of these sectors. This financial commitment reflects our recognition of the transformative impact that arts, culture and sport can have on national development and cohesion,” he said.

He said the party will establish a national sport education board to nurture the development of sport talent from grassroot to elite levels.

“This board will provide training, coaching and support services to aspiring athletes across Namibia, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, while launching the party manifesto earlier this month, said the party is committed to realising the full potential of Namibia’s athletes.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the party will accelerate the financing of various sport programmes and infrastructure to create productive recreational activities for the youth and facilitate employment creation.

“Swapo will upgrade the national sport facilities, including the Independence Stadium, to enable the national teams to play on their home ground. We will also construct basic sport facilities in all 121 constituencies, CAF grade two in all 14 regions and five grade three sport facilities to cater for international sport,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She added: “ Swapo will construct youth recreation centres country-wide to create productive recreational activities for the youth, foster talent development and facilitate employment creation.” she also promised that the party will operationalise the sport development fund under the Namibia Sports Act 12 of 2003 to develop sports infrastructure and promote employment creation through professionalisation of sport.

She promised to strengthen the sport reward policy to incentivise performing athletes.