The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service and the University of Namibia (UNAM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding here on Wednesday that will see the two organisations build a high performance centre.

Speaking during the launch, Executive Director of the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, Dr Audrin Mathe, said the agreement forms part of the National Development Plan, as well as the Harambee Prosperity Plan, of professionalising sport in the country.

“The idea is to have this facility so our athletes no longer have to travel to other countries to prepare for major competitions,” said Mathe.

He said the Ministry of Sport has been communicating with other countries about the possible use of the facility once it is completed.

“Our goal with having our own high-performance centre is to have a better intake of our athletes from the regions when it comes to preparing them, but we have also communicated with Botswana for their athletes to use these facilities once completed,” he said.

Mathe said there is no ministry funding involved in building the centre, but Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi’s performances at international competitions have created interest from stakeholders who are interested in building the centre.

UNAM vice chancellor, Kenneth Matengu, said the signing of the agreement marks the beginning of the establishment of the high-performance centre. The university has allocated land at its main campus for the construction of the centre.

“As a university we have high obligations to develop athletes through research, as well as creating platforms for this to happen. It is important to embrace one’s health and as far as athletes are concerned, we have people in place that would help in sport development,” he said.

Matengu added that Namibia should focus on capacity building.

“Talent identification and nurturing is what we should start focusing on. We are going to use all our centres around the country to identify talented athletes who will benefit from this programme,” Matengu said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency