AFCON bid members leave for Egypt today

THE Namibian Bid Committee members for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) depart for Cairo, Egypt, today to present the bid to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The presentation will be made on Sunday, while the decision on the successful bidder will be announced on September 4. Namibia Football Association (NFA) acting president John Muinjo said the presentation would outline the Namibian Government’s commitment, the country’s existing stadiums and infrastructure, the availability of accommodation, and the country’s good record in terms of security and political stability.Muinjo said Namibia’s chances of hosting the event are as good as those of any other bidding nation.Namibia is competing against Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal, Libya and Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, which have submitted a joint bid.He expressed gratitude that Cabinet had demonstrated its commitment and support for the bid after the bid committee made a presentation on April 25 to Cabinet.The high-level Namibian delegation to Cairo consists of former President Sam Nujoma, Sport Minister John Mutorwa, his permanent secretary Peingeonjabi Shipoh, chairperson of the bid committee John Muinjo, Robert Paltiel, Marcus von Blottnitz, Matheus Kaholongo, Lieutenant Colonel Nahum Indombo, Betty Wilbard, former national team footballer Eliphas Shivute, Julien Garises, Bengt Strenge, Steven Ndorokaze and Warrant Officer Johan Ndjaronjuru Member of Parliament and bid ambassador Hage Geingob, former Miss Universe Michelle Mclean and Namibia Tourism Board chief executive officer Gideon Shikongo will join the team tomorrow.Director of Sport Vetumbuavi Veii left on Tuesday while Egyptian-born bid ambassador Mohamed Omar was the first to leave to do the groundwork.-NampaNamibia Football Association (NFA) acting president John Muinjo said the presentation would outline the Namibian Government’s commitment, the country’s existing stadiums and infrastructure, the availability of accommodation, and the country’s good record in terms of security and political stability.Muinjo said Namibia’s chances of hosting the event are as good as those of any other bidding nation.Namibia is competing against Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal, Libya and Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, which have submitted a joint bid.He expressed gratitude that Cabinet had demonstrated its commitment and support for the bid after the bid committee made a presentation on April 25 to Cabinet.The high-level Namibian delegation to Cairo consists of former President Sam Nujoma, Sport Minister John Mutorwa, his permanent secretary Peingeonjabi Shipoh, chairperson of the bid committee John Muinjo, Robert Paltiel, Marcus von Blottnitz, Matheus Kaholongo, Lieutenant Colonel Nahum Indombo, Betty Wilbard, former national team footballer Eliphas Shivute, Julien Garises, Bengt Strenge, Steven Ndorokaze and Warrant Officer Johan Ndjaronjuru Member of Parliament and bid ambassador Hage Geingob, former Miss Universe Michelle Mclean and Namibia Tourism Board chief executive officer Gideon Shikongo will join the team tomorrow.Director of Sport Vetumbuavi Veii left on Tuesday while Egyptian-born bid ambassador Mohamed Omar was the first to leave to do the groundwork.-Nampa