Sport must be priority funded
The government has reiterated over the years that sport will not be a priority-funded area because it is not as important as other sectors.
However, we have always been against this concept because we view sport as one of the elements which can largely contribute towards nation-building.
We all know that the health and education sectors are among one of the biggest contributors towards development, and therefore receive a very large portion of the available funds.
However, it is important to argue that with sport being well-funded too, it can directly contribute towards health and education.
In health, it has been proven that active bodies reduce the risk of heart conditions and many other illnesses.
Some athletes have benefited from sport by getting scholarships to universities outside the country.
Right now, many sport programmes are on hold, while football in the country remains on life support.
This has led to many young and old Namibians being left hopeless and unemployed.
Last year we saw Namibia pulling out of the Cosafa under-20 tournament due to a lack of funds.
This tournament could have created a platform for the young players to get possible contracts with clubs in South Africa and elsewhere.
As we speak, there is also a huge possibility that Namibia would not participate in the CHAN competition if the country’s football association does not source the funds needed for the games.
The government has often preached about eradicating poverty and it goes without saying that by increasing sports funds, their aim and vision would have taken the right direction.
One can blame the minister of sport and the entire ministry for not bravely fighting for the increment of funds when the budget is drawn.
Now is the time that the government realises that many dreams of young athletes have been broken because sport was never a priority-funded area.
Now is the time that the government realises that reducing sport funds has placed a direct burden towards the fight against poverty.
Lastly, now is the time that the government has to step up and make sport a priority-funded area.
However, we have always been against this concept because we view sport as one of the elements which can largely contribute towards nation-building.
We all know that the health and education sectors are among one of the biggest contributors towards development, and therefore receive a very large portion of the available funds.
However, it is important to argue that with sport being well-funded too, it can directly contribute towards health and education.
In health, it has been proven that active bodies reduce the risk of heart conditions and many other illnesses.
Some athletes have benefited from sport by getting scholarships to universities outside the country.
Right now, many sport programmes are on hold, while football in the country remains on life support.
This has led to many young and old Namibians being left hopeless and unemployed.
Last year we saw Namibia pulling out of the Cosafa under-20 tournament due to a lack of funds.
This tournament could have created a platform for the young players to get possible contracts with clubs in South Africa and elsewhere.
As we speak, there is also a huge possibility that Namibia would not participate in the CHAN competition if the country’s football association does not source the funds needed for the games.
The government has often preached about eradicating poverty and it goes without saying that by increasing sports funds, their aim and vision would have taken the right direction.
One can blame the minister of sport and the entire ministry for not bravely fighting for the increment of funds when the budget is drawn.
Now is the time that the government realises that many dreams of young athletes have been broken because sport was never a priority-funded area.
Now is the time that the government realises that reducing sport funds has placed a direct burden towards the fight against poverty.
Lastly, now is the time that the government has to step up and make sport a priority-funded area.
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Namibian Sun
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