Opportunity to complete our stadiums – minister
…as Namibia withdraws from BONA 2027
Deputy sports minister Emma Kantema-Gaomas yesterday said although Namibia has withdrawn and terminated its agreement with Botswana for their joint bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the move should also be seen as an opportunity for the country to fully focus on its dilapidated facilities.
Kantema-Gaomas was providing perspective to her superior Agnes Tjongarero’s announcement on Wednesday, opting to withdraw from the joint bid with Botswana due to budgetary constraints and a shift in priorities by the Namibian government, partly as a result of the looming drought.
In Wednesday’s letter to her Botswana counterpart, Tumiso Rakgare, Tjongarero explained the N$4.8 billion required to upgrade the facilities was beyond their budget – and with the persisting drought in most parts of the country, the Namibian government was forced to reprioritise its resources.
“The budget provision for the lead consultant, as proposed by the company chosen, is above our budgeted threshold agreed originally as submitted by the BIDCO
committee, and our request for additional funding was not approved. Subsequent to reports of severe drought, the Namibian government had to readjust, refocus and realign its financial priorities with the limited resources at our disposal to avoid a catastrophic economic situation.”
“The Facilities Audit Report revealed that an amount equivalent of N$4.8 billion will be required for the upgrade of sport infrastructure; regrettably, it is one of the key considerations that we are unable to fulfil in making sufficient budgetary provisions in the next three years. We are cognizant of the CAF inspection date for facilities, which is in June 2023 – in line with bidding timelines,” Tjongarero said in her letter dated 19
April 2023.
Providing more context to the government’s move, Kantema-Gaomas yesterday stated that: “As per our budget tabled in parliament for 2023/24, we will continue to upgrade and renovate the Independence stadium as well as other sports facilities in the regions. This will put us in a better position. I have to hasten to say that we will continue to host other competitions, such as the AU Region 5 Sports Council as well as the Cricket World Cup in 2027”.
“The ministry will soon issue a press statement to appraise the nation on the decision and to put in context the rationale for the termination. It will perhaps assist with the understanding,” she added.