By Stefanus Nashama 

The Ondangwa Town Council still requires an additional N$190 million to complete the construction of a modern sports stadium. This is according to Ondangwa Mayor Paavo Amwele who revealed that the council has so far allocated N$60 million towards the project. “This will be the biggest stadium in Namibia, and it will cost hundreds of millions, possibly more than N$250 million,” Amwele said. “As the project progresses, we will have a more accurate cost estimate,” he added. According to him, the first phase of construction has been completed at a cost of N$20 million, and the project is now entering its next stage. “We have made good progress so far. 

The foundation for the perimeter fence will be completed this month. After that, we will begin installing water pipelines, developing supporting structures, and planting grass. Everything is going according to plan,” he mentioned. Amwele is of the opinion that the Ondangwa stadium will be the largest in the northern regions and potentially the biggest in the entire country. 

He noted that the stadium will include a range of facilities, such as accommodation, fitness centres, restaurants, sports bars, high-powered lighting, and an entertainment area called Babylon. The mayor also confirmed that the town council is working closely with NamWater, NamPower, and the Roads Authority to ensure the necessary services are in place. “As you know, we will need water, electricity, and an estimated eight kilometres of road from the main Ondangwa road to the construction site. We are engaging stakeholders early to avoid any delays,” he said. 

Amwele called on both public and private entities to assist with funding to ensure the stadium’s timely completion. Namibia continues to face a shortage of quality sports facilities capable of hosting international matches. Since 2020, the government had to spend millions to host the national soccer team’s home games abroad. At present, the government is struggling to begin renovation and upgrade work on the Independence Stadium in Windhoek. Last year, N$124 million was allocated in the national budget to improve various sports facilities across the country.