By Koviao Matuzee
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Namibia’s young athletes to put their country first when competing internationally, reminding them that wearing the national colours carries a responsibility beyond personal ambition, sporting clubs or individual achievements.
Speaking to the 12 athletes who will represent Namibia at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, Nandi-Ndaitwah said their participation should be driven by national pride and the responsibility of representing more than three million Namibians.
“You came from different sporting disciplines and different backgrounds, but when you enter the Olympic Village, you will no longer represent only your school, your club, your federation, your town or your family. You will represent Namibia,” she said.
The President said the athletes should remain mindful that their conduct and performance on the international stage will reflect on the country.
“When people see you, they will see our country. When you compete, 3 million Namibians will compete with you in spirit. When you wear our colours, wear them with pride,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Namibia will field 12 athletes across seven sporting codes, including athletics, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, boxing, cycling, swimming and triathlon at the Games, scheduled for 31 October to 13 November.
The President said while Namibia wants its athletes to compete for medals and perform at their highest level, success should not only be measured by podium finishes.
She urged the athletes to demonstrate discipline, respect, resilience and humility, saying these qualities would remain important long after their competitive sporting careers have ended.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called for greater investment in developing Namibian sporting talent, saying the country must build a sustainable system capable of identifying young talent and providing opportunities for athletes to progress from grassroots to international competition.
She said the Sixth National Development Plan places sport within Namibia’s national development agenda, with emphasis on increased participation, improved multi-sport infrastructure and the professionalisation and commercialisation of the sector.
“Our ambition is not simply to send teams to international competitions. We must build a sustainable sporting system that identifies talent, develops athletes, strengthens our coaches and federations, improves sporting infrastructure, creates employment and professional opportunities,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further called on the private sector to invest in Namibian athletes, coaches, sporting facilities and development programmes.
She said Namibia’s relatively small population should not limit the country’s sporting ambitions.
“We are relatively a small nation, but the size of our population should never determine the size of our ambition.”
