The sidelining of indigenous sport in favour of modern sport will soon be a thing of the past, following a recent high-level meeting to restore African sport.
Recently, the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) convened a stakeholders engagement in a move towards structural reinforcement of traditional sport.
Following an inquiry by The Namibian Sport, NSC spokesperson Givean Samulandela said the engagement resulted in the appointment of an interim committee to steer the Namibia Traditional Sport and Games Federation (NTSGF) towards operational normalisation.
He said the interim committee, tasked with a 12-month mandate, is charged with stabilising federation affairs, implementing the official playbook and organising an elective congress within 12 months.
“Its remit further extends to the promotion, coordination and administration of indigenous games nationwide, alongside the establishment of regional structures and support for affiliated associations,” said Samulandela.
The NSC has extended its formal endorsement, wishing the interim team success in preserving, elevating and expanding the footprint of traditional sport across all corners of the country.
NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya says the purpose of the engagement was to initiate the formation of the NTSGF interim committee.
“Former members are included to contribute based on their experience and to support a new chapter for the federation. Past issues will not be discussed,” says Mwiya.
At the meeting he said individuals serving in executive positions in other federations may be nominated; however, if elected, they must relinquish their other positions.
The federation currently has structures in five regions.
The interim committee members will be eligible for re-election after the interim term lapses. A quorum will be constituted by at least 60% of members.
The current process is based on a waiver agreed upon by members present, pending alignment with the constitution once the executive committee is established.
On the secretary general position, it was agreed that transition secretary general Issy Nakamue will be granted a waiver to complete a formal handover with the Namibia Handball Federation, and that he will only be officially announced once the handover process is completed.
Indigenous sports are traditional physical activities and games created and played by native, tribal or local communities for thousands of years. Far more than mere games, they are a vital part of cultural heritage that teach survival skills, pass down ancestral knowledge and celebrate the spiritual connection between people and nature.
Interim committee members include president Therens Ndisiro, vice president Mujandjae Kasuto, treasurer Ester Malungu, technical director Iyaloo Hamukoto, as well as Johannes Nghifikepunye and Joolokeni Hamunkete.
