Windhoek:Namibia's major telecommunications provider, MTC, has announced an increase in allowances for netball players in the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League, dedicating an additional N$450,000 to support their financial welfare.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the announcement was made by Tim Ekandjo, MTC's Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer, during a ceremony in Windhoek honoring the senior national netball team, the Debmarine Desert Jewels. Ekandjo emphasized MTC's goal to fully professionalize the league, with the increased funding directly improving players' monthly allowances.

Ekandjo stated that the allowance would rise from N$1,200 to N$1,700 per month with the commencement of the new Premier League season. He highlighted that this adjustment is part of a broader strategy to professionalize netball through a focus on players' well-being.

In addition to the allowance increase, Ekandjo revealed an N$800,000 appreciation package for the Debmarine Desert Jewels and their technical staff, celebrating their qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia. This includes N$400,000 in bonus payments, with each player and technical team member receiving N$20,000.

Furthermore, Ekandjo announced that each team member would receive an appreciation package valued at N$20,000, which includes a Samsung smart device, a small tablet, and N$5,000 worth of airtime. He expressed gratitude to Debmarine Namibia for their substantial investment of over N$40 million in the team, recognizing their role in both international competitions and the sport's development within Namibia.

Ekandjo encouraged the team and Debmarine Namibia to prepare for the 2027 World Cup with world-class standards, aiming not just to participate but to compete at the highest level.