Mr Mbumba Erastus Haitengela, Executive Director in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, officially launched a project on 12 April 2023 to construct youth and sports facilities at the Ministry's plot in Nkurenkuru, Kavango West region.
This comes as a response to the recent success of the Kavango West region football and netball teams under 20, who won the Namibian Newspaper Cup 2023, despite the lack of proper sports facilities in the area.
The lack of proper sports facilities in the developing town of Nkurenkuru has been a challenge for the local youth, despite their exceptional performance in the recent Namibian Newspaper Cup.
The success of the football and netball teams under 20 has brought attention to the need for adequate sports infrastructure in the area. The construction of the youth and sports facilities by the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service is a significant step towards addressing this gap and providing the youth with the resources they need to further excel in sports.
According to the MSYNS Facebook page, the first step will be commenced by cleaning the place and once the place is clear, the construction of sports facilities will commence.
"First phase of the project will involve de-bushing and clearing the plot, which will be done by local young people through work-for-money arrangements. This not only provides employment opportunities for the youth but also allows them to take ownership of the project and be actively involved in its implementation.
Once the plot is cleared, the Ministry will proceed with the construction of fields for football, netball, and volleyball, as well as electricity and water connections, and ablution facilities.
The construction of a multi-purpose youth centre and complete sports facilities is estimated to take about three years.
The Ministry will be working in collaboration with the Kavango West Regional Council to ensure the successful implementation of the project. The facilities will provide much-needed spaces for the youth to engage in sports activities, promoting their physical well-being and fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among them." They wrote on their Facebook page.
In addition to promoting sports, the youth centre will serve as a hub for various youth development programs, providing opportunities for skills training, mentorship, and career guidance.
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The construction of the sports facilities and youth centre will also contribute to the economic development of the area. It will create job opportunities during the construction phase and boost the local economy through increased sports-related activities once the facilities are operational.