By: Mathias Hangala
The City of Windhoek (CoW) on Monday met with the Namibia Football Association (NFA) at Soccer House to discuss the association’s 2024 land application for the development of a football Technical Centre.
This meeting follows a courtesy visit to the mayor by NFA president Robert Shimooshili and his delegation in late September, during which they discussed the proposed development and the importance of timely approval.
Furthermore, the NFA has formally applied for either a donation or a 99-year lease of Erf 340, located on Richard Kamuhuka Street in Katutura, near Soccer House. During the visit, the mayor and her team were presented with technical drawings and detailed development plans for the property.
In addition, the envisioned project includes a state-of-the-art technical centre, featuring a hotel, restaurants, and modern football development facilities — expected to be a step forward in strengthening local football infrastructure.
Speaking at the event for an update, Faniel Maanda, the City’s Strategic Executive for Housing, Property Management, and Human Settlement, informed attendees that the matter would be tabled at the City’s Management Committee meeting, which took place on Tuesday.
“Depending on the outcome of the Management Committee deliberations, the submission will proceed to the next Council meeting for a final decision,” Maanda said.
Meanwhile, NFA Secretary-General, Cassius Moetie, spoke to the urgency of the matter, revealing that FIFA has set a deadline for the NFA to secure the land in order to unlock funding of approximately N$69.5 million for the project’s implementation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Windhoek mayor, Ndeshihafela Larandja, explained that the visit was a familiarisation tour requested by the NFA following discussions about a possible contract extension or land donation.
The projected facilities are expected to address the need for high-quality sports infrastructure. According to Larandja, the project will not only benefit Katutura residents, but also uplift Namibia’s image by providing teams with a conducive environment for training and accommodation.
Commenting on the visit, a resident highlighted the need to drill a borehole to ensure sustainable water access for the lawn maintenance and the overall upkeep of the facility.
Equally, Noa Alugongo, another resident, echoed the urgency, stressing that the initiative should be accelerated “before the pitch runs dry.”
Meanwhile, Clement Dunaiski suggested that the surrounding infrastructure, particularly road maintenance, should also be prioritised to support the development.
