EDITORIAL: If sport is a priority, fund it like one

When it was announced in March that sport would become Namibia's second national development priority, it was one of the boldest policy declarations of the eighth administration.

The commitment appeared to be matched by action when government allocated N$750 million to youth, sport and national service in the 2026/27 national budget.

It is against this backdrop that the recent suspension of financial support requests for national sports bodies and umbrella organisations has come as an unpleasant surprise.

The truth is that Namibia's sporting ambitions continue to collide with the same old obstacles. The country still lacks a football stadium capable of hosting international matches and national federations frequently struggle to finance preparations for continental and global competitions. 

None of this reflects a country seeking to build sport into a major economic sector.

True, government faces severe fiscal constraints. And that is precisely why Namibia must begin thinking beyond the annual budget.

If sport is to become a genuine driver of economic growth and employment, it requires a sustainable funding model that does not depend exclusively on Treasury allocations.

One option worth serious consideration is the establishment of a National Sports Fund, financed through dedicated levies, public-private partnerships or other innovative financing mechanisms. Namibia already has successful examples of ring-fenced funding, such as the fuel levy that supports road maintenance. Similar models could provide predictable long-term financing for sport.

Government should also explore tax incentives for businesses that make substantial investments in sports development, infrastructure and athlete sponsorship. Such incentives would encourage private capital to complement, rather than replace, public investment.

The goal should be to expand the funding base, not simply redistribute scarce public resources from one deserving sector to another.

Otherwise, sport risks remaining a national priority only in speeches.