The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp has urged parties preparing Team Namibia for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games to increase efforts to ensure athletes get maximum assistance.

She was speaking in Windhoek on Saturday during a meet-and-greet event attended by board members of various sports federations and officials.

“I urge all relevant stakeholders, especially those responsible for preparing Team Namibia, to double their efforts and ensure our athletes receive world-class preparation and support,” Steenkamp said.

Namibia will be hosting the AUSC Games from 4-13 July in Windhoek and Swakopmund, where teams from 10 southern African countries will compete across 12 sports codes.

The participating countries are Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

At least 2 552 athletes and staff are expected for the tournament.

Steenkamp also implored the ministry’s top officials to guarantee significant ministerial involvement during the course of the contest.

“I urge the ministry’s leadership to ensure meaningful ministerial presence and visibility throughout the games,” she pleaded.

She insisted that office bearers be given tasks to ensure full effectiveness in different areas.

“Specific roles must be allocated to ministry officials and staff from our SOEs to ensure effective coordination, operational support and national representation,” she stressed. 

– Nampa