DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Friday, January 26, 2001 - Web posted at 10:21:42 AM GMT

Sports complex set for Swakopmund
MAGGI BARNARD

THE coastal region will be placed on the sporting map with the plannedconstruction of a multi-million sports complex, including a tartan athleticstrack, by the government at Swakopmund.

The N$11 million complex will provide the country with an internationalfacility at sea level and take the pressure off the stadium in Windhoek.

"It is important to get international events out of Windhoek," said FritzBrisley, deputy director of community sport and development in the Ministryof Basic Education , Sport and Culture.

He added that the country's athletesneed to train at different altitudes, especially when a big event is held at sea level.

"That is why we are developing the complex at Oshakati, where the conditions are different again."

"Brisley said an international facility at sea level would also make Namibia more accessible to overseas athletes looking for countries to train in during their winter months.

Chairperson of the Swakopmund Sports Committee, Tony Britz said Swakopmund's good infrastructure lends itself to accommodating large numbers of sports people.

Plans for the complex are at an advanced stage with the contractors expectedto go on site at the end of next month.

The complex will be built at theexisting Welwitschia sports grounds and consist of a pavilion, ablutionfacilities, a multi-purpose grass field and a tartan track, the second one in the country.

Phase one comprises of the pavilion and ablution facilities at a cost of N$4,5million.

The pavilion will consist of a concrete stand seating 500 people,a VIP lounge for 100 people, a VVIP area for ministers and other dignitariesand media rooms for radio and television broadcasts.

Phase 2 entails the multi-purpose grass field, mainly for soccer and rugby, the tartan track and flood lights.

Brisley told The Namibian the contractors would mainly do the groundworkthis year while the actual construction would start in the new financial year in April next year.

The first phase should take about nine months to complete with phase 2 following directly afterwards with the aim of completing the complex by the end of next year."

"Should there be any money left, we plan to upgrade the existing tennis andnetball courts as well," Brisley said.

He added that they would also try to make provision for cricket at the complex.

Britz said the complex was a dream come true for sports people at the coast, while sports lovers in the region could look forward to seeing the likes of Frankie Fredericks and the Brave Warriors performing at the coast in the future.

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