By: Hee-Dee Walenga
Namibian sports, both developmental and ‘professional,’ for as long as they have existed, have always experienced a shortfall when it comes to funding. Other than recent developments from Cricket Namibia, Namibian sports have always existed in the developmental space, meaning that they do not generate enough revenue to be deemed professional.
Financial support from the private and public sector have been the lifeline of Namibian sports from their inception. There are not many local entities, if any at all, that can say they have supported Namibian sports as much as FNB Namibia has.
Cricket, football, rugby, equestrianism, and cycling, are among the several sporting codes that the bank has supported over the years.
Cricket
Ashburton Investments, FNB Namibia’s sister company under the First Rand umbrella, has been a long-standing pillar of the development of Namibian cricket. Ashburton Investments, through the Kwata Programme, has provided close to 100,000 children across Namibia with the opportunity to play the sport of cricket.
The Kwata programme has developed women and men who have gone on to represent Namibia at the senior level. Cricket is the only sport in Namibia where the national team players can be classed as professionals. Adding on to the Kwata programme’s achievements, it received a global award at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual General Meeting in 2025.
FNB Namibia is also the current naming rights holder of the historic N$72 million FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, a multi-purpose facility that Cricket Namibia opened in 2025. The facility co-hosted the 2026 U19 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup with Zimbabwe and will co-host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Football
FNB Namibia has been a crucial stakeholder of Namibian women’s football. Their most recent deal in 2025 saw the bank commit nearly N$10 million over three years to the FNB Women’s Super League.
The longstanding investment has proved pivotal, with the Brave Gladiators winning the 2026 COSAFA Championship for the very first time. Namibia’s entire squad, except for the legendary Zenatha Coleman, play their club football in the FNB Women’s Super League.
The FNB Classic Clashes, a staple on the Namibian sports calendar, features rival schools across the country battling it out in football, netball, and rugby.
Cycling
FNB Namibia has created a development path for young Namibian cyclists, through the FNB Mountain Bike League. Young stars such as Roger Suren and Delsia Janse van Vuuren are among the names having shone through the league. Suren recently became a professional cyclist after signing for Alpecin, one of the best cycling teams in the world. The move makes him the only African rider on the team’s entire roster.
Equestrianism
FNB Namibia has also sponsored a horse-riding developmental programme for children with special needs, which has won international awards. Namibia’s Sports Minister, Sanet Steenkamp, wrote her doctorate thesis about the programme.
Rugby
Eight of the nine rugby teams in Namibia’s top flight rugby league are sponsored by FNB Namibia.
Speaking to The Villager, FNB Namibia’s Communications Manager, Kirsty Watermeyer, outlined why FNB feels compelled to support Namibian sports.
“Sport is a wonderful unifier. Government can’t do it alone. It’s important for corporations to join hands and support Namibian sports,” Watermeyer expressed.
