Tjongarero to develop junior sport

The new sports minister says young athletes are the future of Namibia, thus her vision to develop sport at junior level.
Limba Mupetami
LIMBA MUPETAMI







Newly elected sports minister Agnes Tjongarero, who took over the reins from Erastus Uutoni last week, said her focus will be on junior sports development and to continue her predecessor’s legacy – establishing a national Namibian sports museum.

The iron lady of sports, as many have come to know her, needs no introduction as she has been in the fraternity as long as anyone can remember. She played netball in her heyday and soon after moved into administration.

A veteran administrator, Tjongarero held the position of deputy minister since 2015 and has worked her way up, adding “I have a wish list,” but she wishes to work with governors and business people in all sporting endeavours to close the funding gap in the ministry.

On her plans to develop junior sports, she said: “From the ages of 14, Namibians are the future”.

Tjongarero was the president of the Olympic Committee from 1997 to 2015, and will be deputised by Emma Kantema-Gaomas. They aim to put in place strategies to promote civic education, cultivate good morals and citizenship in preparing the youth to become future leaders of Namibia.

Tjongarero will also need to implement programmes aimed at development of sport infrastructure, youth development and skills development, as well as improve the National Youth Service programmes.

Her functions will also entail looking at transparent procurement with a focus on empowerment of Namibians, particularly the youth and women, and focusing on job creation, but not at the expense of value for money. She should also drive a performance culture within the ministry through leading by example and applying a hands-on approach.

Furthermore, her team and herself will need to focus on timely interventions and prompt implementation of policy decision; review any law, policy, regulation or institution which hampers the effective implementation of plans and programmes of the government; ensure maximum output within the context of limited financial resources; ensure coordination with other offices, ministries and agencies, and continuously monitor, evaluate and report on progress being made in the ministry.

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-14

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