Keetmanshoop municipality acting chief executive Gregarious Andries has promised to thoroughly prepare for the popular Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup 2026 at the southern town.
He was speaking during a meeting at Keetmanshoop this week, involving the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Netball Namibia (NN) and The Namibian.
The aim of the visit was to inspect the sport facilities that will host netball and soccer matches over Easter weekend next year.
The Kunene region hosted one of the most memorable newspaper cups this year, where the host region lifted the football trophy for the first time, and the Kavango East netball side were crowned Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup champions.
Andries said the Keetmanshoop municipality wants to host an exciting, unforgettable experience for regional teams and visitors come 2026.
He said work has started, and contractors who are to renovate the two soccer fields are ready to kick-start the process at Westdene Stadium in the western part of the town.
Though the process has been disrupted by the Keetmanshoop Expo, Andries said: “I agree the process has been slowed down a bit, and we take accountability for and acknowledge it, but I promise you we will speed up the process.
“If you come back during the first week of December, you will see the results.”
Andries said work has already been done on the kiosk at the netball courts, and broken windows have been replaced at Westdene Primary School’s hostel, which will likely house the host region.
The pitch on the A field is awaiting the planting of seed for grass, and all irrigation systems are in place, he said.
The acting CEO said the poles at both the netball and soccer field will be replaced, while they have also procured new flood lights.
NFA director for competition and registration Tim Isaacs urged the local organisers to strictly adhere to the action plan, and said the local organising committee (LOC) must not hesitate to communicate any changes to the technical committee.
The LOC was urged to come up with a logo and a theme for next year’s edition, reflecting the ||Kharas region’s uniqueness.
Young netballers and footballers will showcase their talent on a newly resurfaced netball court, while the boys will have a rejuvenated grass pitch come Easter 2026.
Keetmanshoop is the administrative capital of the ||Kharas region in southern Namibia.
It is named after Johann Keetman, a German industrialist and benefactor of the Rhenish Mission at the town.
The town had a population of 27 862 people in 2023.
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