Walvis Bay is set for a major boost to its sporting infrastructure as the municipality accelerates the upgrading of facilities across the town, with new floodlights at Jan Wilken Stadium expected to expand opportunities for evening sporting events.
The permanent floodlights at Jan Wilken Stadium are already opening the way for more local, national and international competitions to be hosted after dark. According to the municipality’s Sport Head, Daniel Mouton, the project had been planned for some time and is expected to bring benefits beyond sport by attracting visitors and supporting tourism in the coastal town.
A major renovation of the indoor sports complex is also planned, with approximately N$3.5 million earmarked for the project. The work will include improvements to the roof, flooring and other parts of the facility to make it more suitable for sporting activities and community use. The municipality also plans to extend the floodlight programme to other sporting facilities, with Kuisebmond identified as the next priority. Mouton said consultants would be appointed to design the lighting system, after which the project would be advertised.
The municipality hopes to install similar permanent floodlights at Kuisebmond during the current financial year. The existing temporary floodlights at Jan Wilken Stadium will not go to waste. Once the permanent system is fully operational, the smaller lights are expected to be relocated to the Narraville soccer field, allowing local players to train in the evenings.
Progress is also being made on the Narraville playing surface, with Mouton saying the grass installation was about three-quarters complete. “We are three quarters finished with the grass. So hopefully by September, October, November we will be done. And then for next year we can also have football at the soccer field,” he said.
The municipality is simultaneously completing a boundary wall at the Narraville facility to curb vandalism, which officials said remains a concern in several parts of Walvis Bay, including Kuisebmond. The wall is expected to be completed by October.
Plans are also advancing for FNB Kudus Rugby Club to assist the municipality with managing the Narraville sports facility. The proposal has reportedly been approved by the municipal council and is awaiting ministerial approval. Officials stressed that the facility would remain accessible to the broader community, with the rugby club assisting only with its management. Meanwhile, the Kuisebmond sports facility has moved closer to full readiness, with the spectator seating project completed apart from the installation of railings.
The contractor has been appointed and work is expected to start soon. Mouton said the playing surface was ready for Premier League action and expressed confidence that the municipality’s sports facilities would be brought up to modern standards within the next two years. The municipality is also calling on residents to make greater use of the improved facilities, particularly in Narraville. One tennis court has been converted into a combined volleyball and netball court, while schools have been informed that they can use the facility.
Mouton urged residents to establish more organised clubs, particularly junior netball teams, saying structured sport could help keep young people off the streets and create opportunities for youth development. Football is already attracting strong participation in Narraville, with about three teams currently training on the gravel playing area. With continued investment in nfrastructure, Walvis Bay is positioning sport as both a community-development tool and a potential driver of tourism and major sporting events.
The municipality is now challenging the Netball community to establish clubs and leagues so that more young people can benefit from the available facilities. “We would like to challenge the netball to come forward and see how we can assist those youngsters coming, keeping them off the streets to be part of the netball leagues,” Mouton said.
The municipality’s broader sports-infrastructure programme is expected to continue over the next two years, with improvements to lighting, playing fields, spectator facilities, indoor infrastructure and security aimed at creating better conditions for both competitive and community sport in Walvis Bay.
By Rudi Bowe
