Honouring Namibia's greats
Unlike in the case of political figures, the country's sporting heroes remain without a museum to honour them.
Sports minister Erastus Uutoni has called on the Namibian Sports Commission (NSC), as well as other stakeholders to look at ways of establishing a sports museum in the country.
Uutoni, who took over from Jerry Ekandjo six months ago, said the history of Namibian sport and the achievements of its stars needed to be documented, as this will promote sports tourism.
He called for the establishment of a sports museum, saying while on the political front there is proof and documentation of history, the same could not be said about sport.
The minister was speaking last week at the launch of the 2018 MTC/NSC Namibia Sports Awards and advised the ministry and NSC to look at the idea and to approach potential sponsors for the project.
Jeremy Silvester from the Museums Association of Namibia said he wrote a letter to Ekandjo outlining the proposal to establish a museum, but he does not know what happened as his office never got feedback.
“The initial idea was to have a museum about former sprinter and Olympic medallist Frankie Fredericks, but of course he did not want it to be only about him or athletics.”
“He wanted it to showcase all the local sports codes that young people could get involved in,” Silvester said.
He said they got as far as getting a building to establish a museum, but did not have enough investment in the project.
“When Fredericks' team spoke to us, we could only help with a N$10 000 grant. That was not really much and they needed more to really get the idea going.”
Silvester added a museum of sports will inspire a healthier nation. He said sport has the potential to unite the nation.
“After all, the teams are about working together and supporting each other to achieve a common goal.”
“I'm sure with enough funds people will come on board to help with items that can be on display.”
Silvester said further they did a survey two years ago at the showground's and many young people said they would rather go to a sports museum than any other museum, if it existed.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Uutoni, who took over from Jerry Ekandjo six months ago, said the history of Namibian sport and the achievements of its stars needed to be documented, as this will promote sports tourism.
He called for the establishment of a sports museum, saying while on the political front there is proof and documentation of history, the same could not be said about sport.
The minister was speaking last week at the launch of the 2018 MTC/NSC Namibia Sports Awards and advised the ministry and NSC to look at the idea and to approach potential sponsors for the project.
Jeremy Silvester from the Museums Association of Namibia said he wrote a letter to Ekandjo outlining the proposal to establish a museum, but he does not know what happened as his office never got feedback.
“The initial idea was to have a museum about former sprinter and Olympic medallist Frankie Fredericks, but of course he did not want it to be only about him or athletics.”
“He wanted it to showcase all the local sports codes that young people could get involved in,” Silvester said.
He said they got as far as getting a building to establish a museum, but did not have enough investment in the project.
“When Fredericks' team spoke to us, we could only help with a N$10 000 grant. That was not really much and they needed more to really get the idea going.”
Silvester added a museum of sports will inspire a healthier nation. He said sport has the potential to unite the nation.
“After all, the teams are about working together and supporting each other to achieve a common goal.”
“I'm sure with enough funds people will come on board to help with items that can be on display.”
Silvester said further they did a survey two years ago at the showground's and many young people said they would rather go to a sports museum than any other museum, if it existed.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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