By: Loise Shiimi
Locals from the Onamura village in the Okatana constituency and surrounding areas in the Oshana Region have come together to construct a stadium in efforts to improve the area’s infrastructure.
In an interview with The Villager, Iikolela Ekandjo, one of the organisers of the Taute Cup tournament, expressed the difficulties they faced for years in hosting a tournament without an up to par stadium.
He mentioned that they had reached out to various local businesses and the broader community, urging them to contribute whatever they could to the stadium’s construction. Many of these entities responded positively and made contributions.
Ekandjo expressed his satisfaction that this year’s edition of the Taute Cup tournament will be held in a newly-built stadium.
The stadium features netball courts, changing rooms, a 2,000-seat pavilion, facilities for medical staff and referees, a VIP section, an office, and storage space.
“This is a state-of-the-art stadium that will provide our youth with the opportunity to experience high-quality sports, helping them to redirect their focus away from alcohol and other detrimental practices,” he stated.
In addition to promoting sports, Ekandjo pointed out that local entrepreneurs, particularly small business owners, will have a venue to market their products within the village, eliminating the need to travel to towns for sales. He noted that this initiative offers a sustainable platform that will benefit the community and enhance the local economy.
“We are not just promoting urban development, we also want to foster rural growth by introducing this kind of infrastructure into our village,” he indicated.
Regarding rural development, Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, recently visited Ondangwa, where he stressed the need for the government to revisit its budgeting strategy, as more funds are allocated to urban areas than rural ones. This imbalance has led to challenges such as increased urbanisation.
“If we work to address issues in rural areas, we can mitigate urbanisation, as land is finite while the population continues to grow,” the minister remarked.
Ekandjo echoed these sentiments, noting that having a stadium in the village could reduce urban migration and attract more residents, thereby boosting the local economy.
With the new stadium, local players who previously lacked access to professional training facilities now stand to benefit. Ekandjo pointed to the Namibian Football Association (NFA) having offered free training for two weeks to local players, equipping them with essential skills in coaching, event management, and more.
“They received certificates for their participation, and I observed that many local tournament organisers lack knowledge about marketing their events and generating revenue from them,” he said.
He also mentioned that the NFA plans to host national tournaments, allowing young players to learn additional skills from national team personnel.
The Taute Cup Tournament started on 12 September and will run until 14 September, with matches taking place at the new stadium.
During the inaugural event of the Severin Kambonde Gabriel Ashivudhi Sports Stadium, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture (MEIYSAC), Dino Ballotti, highlighted that without proper facilities, talent is limited in its potential.
“With this stadium, our young people have the opportunity to dream bigger, train more effectively, and compete at higher levels,” he stated.
He urged sports enthusiasts and players to take ownership of the stadium, encouraging them to protect it, use it responsibly, and ensure it serves as a source of pride for future generations.
“Let this be a place where no child is left behind. A space where every young person, both boys and girls, can step onto a beautiful pitch and netball court, feeling that their dreams matter. May this stadium become a vibrant hub that continuously uplifts our community, where even if Mamelodi Sundowns were to visit, our Namibian teams would shine,” he urged.
In closing, Ballotti wished all participants of the Taute Cup the best of luck, adding that the facility should serve as a school of life; teaching valuable lessons about teamwork, respect, and perseverance.
“It will remind you that sport is not solely about winning medals, but about building character, instilling confidence, and strengthening the bonds that unite us as one Namibia, one nation,” he concluded.
