Government allocates funds to regions for sport infrastructure development

WINDHOEK, 01 MAR (NAMPA)- The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Arts and Culture has allocated N. dollars 10 million to each of Namibia’s 14 regions to launch the construction of 28 new Basic Constituency Sport Infrastructure Facilities.
This was announced by Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti, who, in a media statement on Saturday, said the allocation marks a major national rollout within the government’s first year in office.
He said the funds have already been transferred into ring-fenced commercial bank accounts, clearing the way for immediate implementation across all regions.
“This milestone marks a decisive step in strengthening sport infrastructure, promoting youth development and ensuring equitable regional development where access to sport facilities is felt by all Namibians,” he said.
The project, he noted, fulfils commitments contained in the SWAPO Party Manifesto and forms part of a broader push to decentralise service delivery. Implementation responsibility has formally been handed over to the offices of regional governors, following a directive from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, he noted.
Ballotti stressed that although regions now hold procurement authority under the Public Procurement Act of 2015, the Ministry will retain national policy oversight, technical advisory support and budgeting responsibilities under Vote 27.
Each region will divide the N.dollars 10 million allocation between two identified constituency sites.
According to the minister, the government has also secured separate funding for consultancy services to ensure technical expertise does not strain regional budgets, saying that standardised designs will guide construction while allowing adjustments for local conditions.
Ballotti further said that construction, has already begun in Kunene, Oshana and Kavango East, with other regions expected to follow in the coming days and weeks. Regional Governors are scheduled to host groundbreaking ceremonies before 21 March 2026 to signal visible progress nationwide.
“This is a clear demonstration that the Government is delivering on the commitments made, directly benefiting young people and communities across the country,” he said.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK