The government has denied reports linking the country to a proposed multination bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
In January this year, South African minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie announced plans to submit a joint bid involving South Africa, Namibia and Botswana as part of a broader initiative aimed at attracting major sporting events and stimulating regional economic growth.
At the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) elective congress held in May, Cosafa president Tariq Babitseng confirmed that the region’s bid to host the tournament had been submitted and he expressed optimism about securing the hosting rights.
“We submitted our bid on time to host the tournament in southern Africa,” Babitseng told reporters in Harare, where he was elected president of Cosafa.
Approached for comment Gerard Vries, the executive director of sport, however, clarified that the government has not authorised the Namibia Football Association or any representatives to participate in or submit a bid to host the 2028 Afcon tournament.
“The government of Namibia has not approved or authorised any bid for the 2028 Afcon tournament. No financial or operational commitments have been made towards hosting the tournament,” Vries said.
The executive director added that no budgetary allocation has been made as the state has not committed itself to any bidding process or hosting project related to Afcon 2028.
The government’s position appears to contrast with previous efforts to secure major football hosting rights. In 2022, Cabinet granted in-principle approval for a joint bid with Botswana to host the 2027 Afcon tournament.
Under the proposed arrangement, known as the Bona 2027 bid, Namibia was expected to contribute 40% of the costs and would have shared in the associated economic and developmental benefits.
The bid was regarded as an opportunity to bring Africa’s premier football competition to the two neighbouring countries for the first time.
However, the joint Namibia-Botswana initiative was subsequently abandoned after Namibia withdrew from the process, citing concerns over the approval of the required budget and the financial obligations associated with hosting the tournament.
Vries reiterated that the government has not endorsed any new proposals or committed public funds to the hosting of the continental showpiece.
– Nampa
