The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), together with the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), has outlined a reform agenda aimed at positioning sport as a stronger contributor to Namibia’s economic and social development.
The commitments were announced at the “Unlocking Namibia’s Sport Economy” seminar in Windhoek, held under the theme “Evidence-based Sport for National Development: NDP6 and Beyond.”
The event also marked the launch of the Namibia Country Sport Profile Research Publication. The seminar brought together government officials, sports federations, researchers, athletes, coaches, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders to examine the current state of Namibia’s sports sector.
MEIYSAC Executive Director Gerard Norman Vries described the gathering as an important step towards evidence-based sports policy as Namibia moves from NDP5 to NDP6.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Dr Sanet Steenkamp committed the ministry to six key areas of reform, including clarifying the roles of stakeholders, reviewing the Sport Act and related policies, strengthening governance and data systems, promoting commercialisation, attracting private-sector investment and professionalising sport.
The ministry’s current sports directorate works with the Namibia Sports Commission on areas including federation coordination, funding, infrastructure development, grassroots participation and support for athletes.
Dr Steenkamp also called for stronger partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to expand investment in sport. Among the proposals are a national sport levy, athlete development grants, tax incentives, sport venture capital and facility investment grants.
She further called for the full operationalisation of the Sport Development Fund, saying it should contribute to sports infrastructure and employment creation as the sector becomes increasingly professionalised. The minister also pointed to major international sporting events as opportunities for Namibia to strengthen its international profile, develop infrastructure and inspire young people, including the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Government planning documents identify Namibia’s hosting of the 2027 Cricket World Cup as a major future sporting event. The push for reform comes as government planning documents also identify centralised sports data management, professionalisation and commercialisation among Namibia’s medium-term sports development priorities.
Dr Steenkamp said the ministry would work with federations, athletes, coaches and other stakeholders to build a sports sector that is professional, commercially sustainable and guided by reliable data.
By Rudi Bowe
