Erasmus Shalihaxwe Renovations are underway at the City of Windhoek’s United Nations (UN) Plaza park in Soweto, Katutura, in preparation for the Region 5 Youth Games. Namibia will host the games for the first time from 4 to 13 July in Windhoek and Swakopmund. Organisers are finalising several venues in both cities, including UN Plaza. The event will bring together around 2,552 athletes and officials from 10 Southern African countries.  Competitions will take place across 12 sports codes, including basketball, tennis, volleyball, football, and boxing. On Tuesday morning, a City of Windhoek team led by Sidney Goagoseb, section head for sports, visited the site to inspect progress.  Goagoseb said about 90% of the work is complete and everything is on track. “The renovations are not just moving fast, they are also meeting international standards, setting the stage for a world-class experience,” said Goagoseb. The UN Plaza park was inaugurated in 1995 by the late president Hage Geingob to provide a recreational space for residents and surrounding communities with access to sports activities.

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Junior National Table Tennis Competition, sponsored by Phoenix Insurance Namibia, concluded over the weekend and featured strong performances by young athletes.  The event also served as preparation for the African Union Sport Council Region 5 (AUSC) Youth Games, set for next month.  In the Under-19 boys’ quarter-finals, Kamrouz Ghayouri defeated Kevin Zhang, while Agape Chicalu narrowly beat newcomer Fillemon Ikanda.  Caden Bosman dominated the under-19 boys’ category to claim the title. In the Under-15 division, Kevin Zhang bounced back to defeat Kamrouz Ghayouri and take the top spot. In the Under-13 boys’ final, Fillemon Ikanda beat Terrence Kadandara to win the title. In the girls’ events, Kelly Zhang won the under-13 category, and Cadence Farmer led the under-15 group. Lian Gebauer claimed victory in the Under-19 girls’ division. Doubles matches added more competition. Lian Gebauer and Cadence Farmer won the girls’ doubles title.  Kamrouz Ghayouri and Kevin Zhang took the Boys’ Doubles.  Lian Gebauer and Kamrouz Ghayouri won the Mixed Doubles. The tournament provided young players with an opportunity to refine their skills before competing in the AUSC Junior Region 5 Games.  The competition highlighted local talent and Namibia’s growing presence in regional table tennis.

Senator engages on property use for Special Olympians' training facilities near Kennedy High School.

[Namibian] Namibia's education, innovation, youth, sport, arts, and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp has called on southern African governments to increase investment in athlete development.

Namibia’s education, innovation, youth, sport, arts, and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp has called on southern African governments to increase investment in athlete development. Steenkamp was speaking at the seventh Regional Annual Sports Awards in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday evening. Speaking in her capacity as the chairperson of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Council of Ministers, Steenkamp praised Zimbabwe for its “outstanding hospitality” and for hosting “a truly memorable and exceptional event”. “This is a clear testament to Zimbabwe’s unwavering belief in the power of sport as a tool for transformation, unity and pride,” she said. Steenkamp urged Region 5 member states to adopt more sustainable frameworks for sport development. “Let us move from event-based support to sustainable, structured pathways that produce world-class talent with character, purpose and staying power.” She also paid tribute to Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry, who was recently elected as the first African and first woman president of the International Olympic Committee. “Dr Coventry embodies the excellence we aspire to,” Steenkamp added, urging her to “continue to champion Region 5 as a model for inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred sports development”. Congratulating all nominees, she said: “You are already winners. Your journey to this moment is a victory in itself.” Steenkamp called on attendees to meet at the upcoming Region 5 Youth Games, to be hosted by Namibia in July, “with the same energy, commitment and unity that we celebrate here tonight”. The post Steenkamp calls for greater investment in athletes at regional sport awards appeared first on The Namibian.

Reds secure four runs in the second inning, taking a commanding 4-1 lead.

Coaches express concerns over proposed limits on youth sports training hours and lack of consultation.

Parents - get over yourselves. Forget the glory, just love your kids for who they are.