By Michael Uugwanga
GOVERNMENT has set aside N$150 million towards the revamping of the country’s biggest national stadium the Independence Stadium in the capital. This is despite the overhaul and expanding of the stadium believed to cost the country at least N$2 billion.
The dilapidated stadium which has a capacity of 25,000 will have to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category three (3) stadium requirements. These include a minimum spectator capacity of 10,000, comfortable and well-supported seating, comprehensive safety and security infrastructure like a CCTV system and emergency evacuation plans.
The stadium will also comprises of a compliant playing field dimensions, professional goalposts, and adequate facilities such as covered benches for teams and officials, plus first-aid and doping control rooms.
The refurbishing of the stadium will take more than three years, with the first phase of construction likely to start 2026. The stadium has not hosted any international football match since 2021, after it was declared unfit by CAF. Speaking to Confidente recently executive director in the sports ministry Gerard Norman Vries said that the reconstruction will be done in phases over the coming years.
“The lead consultant has projected that the full redevelopment of the Independence Stadium is in the billions. However, for this financial year, government has already set aside N$150 million to ensure the stadium meets the CAF category three requirements,” said Vries.
The project will be implemented in phases over several years. Government has committed the necessary resources and will execute the upgrades to ensure that the country’s national teams (Brave Warriors and Brave Gladiators) can once again play their home matches on home soil,” he added.
Vries has therefore called for patience and calm from the general public, in particular football followers, who have been starved for nearly five years without watching international football at the stadium.
“As a nation lets remain patience as the process unfolds, because lasting solutions require careful planning and proper execution. This project is not only about CAF standards, it is about building a modern facility that will serve Namibians for generations to come.”
