The government is expected to start the procurement process for a contractor to redevelop Independence Stadium in Windhoek during the second quarter of the current financial year.
This follows 13 months after the government announced plans to build and upgrade five stadiums across the country to Confederation of African Football (CAF) category three standards.
Executive director of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Gerard Vries last week said no construction tender has been awarded for the five stadium projects yet.
He said Independence Stadium is the most advanced project and is currently at the final design and documentation stage.
“The programme is being implemented in phases, rather than building all five stadiums simultaneously,” Vries said.
He said contractor procurement for the stadium is expected to start in the second quarter of the year, after the completion of design and technical documentation.
The five planned stadiums are Independence Stadium in Windhoek, and stadiums at Swakopmund, Keetmanshoop, Oshakati and Rundu.
Vries said procurement can only start once designs are complete, funding is formally appropriated, and statutory approvals are in place.
“For football, a stadium can only host CAF competitions or Fifa World Cup qualifiers after formal CAF certification,” he said.
He said Independence Stadium is being rebuilt specifically to pass CAF and World Athletics inspections.
