Namport pledges record N$90m to Namibian football
The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) has pledged a record N$90 million sponsorship to the Namibia Football Association (NFA) over the next three years to support the development of football in the country.
The sponsorship, amounting to N$30 million per season, was announced at State House during a courtesy visit by the leadership of Namport and the NFA.
The funding is expected to provide a major boost to the country’s football leagues and comes as the football sector is estimated to employ about 21 500 people in various capacities.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed the partnership, saying sport is a Government priority under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which seeks to build a sports industry that develops talent, creates employment and supports livelihoods.
She congratulated and thanked the Namport Board, management and employees for their contribution, noting that the N$30 million annual sponsorship is the largest in the history of Namibian football and carries significant opportunity and responsibility.
The President said the partnership brings renewed hope to Namibian football and practical support to young people.
She noted that football develops discipline, teamwork, leadership and resilience, while investment in the sport also benefits coaches, referees, groundskeepers, administrators, local businesses and communities.
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, well-organised competitions can stimulate economic activity while bringing people together across regional, linguistic and social boundaries.
She stressed that the sponsorship must result in stronger institutions, better opportunities and a football sector that contributes meaningfully to national development.
“Every dollar must be accounted for,” the President said, calling for transparent financial management, timely reporting and independent scrutiny of the sponsorship.
She directed that the funds be distributed fairly across all 14 regions to ensure that young people, including those in smaller communities, can access opportunities regardless of where they live.
Regional football, she said, is essential to discovering and developing talent. The sponsorship will support national and regional leagues, women’s football and match officials, with its success measured by visible benefits for clubs, players and communities.
Addressing the NFA, Nandi-Ndaitwah called on the association to provide professional and well-managed leagues and competitions, pay players and officials on time, and invest in coaching, refereeing, women’s football and youth development.
She also called for clear pathways for player progression and urged the NFA to work openly with Namport, submit complete and timely reports, strengthen administration at all levels and ensure clubs and regional structures understand both the benefits and responsibilities of the partnership.
The President further encouraged other businesses and partners to support opportunities for young Namibians and the sports industry envisaged under NDP6.
She thanked Namport for responding to this call and urged all those responsible for implementing the sponsorship to ensure that, by the end of the three-year period, its impact on players, clubs and communities is clearly visible.
Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded by calling on the NFA to manage the sponsorship with integrity, accountability and a firm commitment to the development of Namibian football.
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