Nujoma Stadium opens next week

THE Sam Nujoma Stadium will officially be opened on August 13, a senior official at the City of Windhoek announced yesterday.

The N$64 million facility, which is popularly known as the Katutura Stadium since the 70Žs, has now been named Sam Nujoma Stadium, Mujiwa George Mayumbelo, the strategic executive of Economic Development and Community Services confirmed. He said the long awaited official opening will see two Namibia Premier League (NPL) teams in action, while there will be a number of cultural performances and live music from various local artists.Only two NPL teams will play the match on the day, with no curtain raisers as customary to openings of such facilities.The draw for the two teams which will get the first ever chance to play a match at the fully renovated stadium will be known today.Muyumbelo said the draw will be decided upon the six NPL teams, which are Black Africa, Orlando Pirates, African Stars, Tigers, Civics and Ramblers.”We want to have a short programme, we donŽt want to have a long boring day for the people.We also decided on two teams only because there are also other activities,” he said.There are no fixed times for when the activities will start on the day, but it will be made available in the media at a later stage.The winning team on the day receives N$20 000, gold medals and a floating trophy to be handed over by Nujoma while the runner-up pockets N$10 000 and silver medals.He said the main reason for having one football match was to prove that other events except football can also be held at the stadium.On the question of how much teams will be required to pay per match, figures given was that it will cost N$4 500 per team, playing one game.The amount (N$4 500) will only include the parking area and the kiosk, except the use of the VIP section.In case a team or organisation wishes to use the VIP section, a further N$2 500 will be required.At this stage, teams pay about N$1 000 for the usage of the Independence Stadium, while half of that amount is payable for the use of the Khomasdal Stadium, Ramblers Stadium and SKW.For concerts and cultural activities, a fee of N$7 500 will be charged as rental.Welfare organisations, schools and churches will automatically qualify for a 50 percent discount on that (N$7 500) fee.However, the members of the public will not gain free entry on the opening day as they will be required to fork out N$10 per person, while the children will part with N$5.Mayumbelo added that seven companies have expressed interest to handle the marketing and advertising duties for the stadium.He said the winning bidder will be made known soon.He said the bulk of the revenue will be from rental fees, while the advertisements in and around the stadium are also expected to generate more funds.When asked about a part of the tunnel which interfered partly with the field of play at the stadium, Mayumbelo said all had been fixed and the strikers playing on the field can be assured of scoring many goals.”This is a good stadium as we have met all the requirements of Fifa,” he added.He said the long awaited official opening will see two Namibia Premier League (NPL) teams in action, while there will be a number of cultural performances and live music from various local artists. Only two NPL teams will play the match on the day, with no curtain raisers as customary to openings of such facilities.The draw for the two teams which will get the first ever chance to play a match at the fully renovated stadium will be known today.Muyumbelo said the draw will be decided upon the six NPL teams, which are Black Africa, Orlando Pirates, African Stars, Tigers, Civics and Ramblers.”We want to have a short programme, we donŽt want to have a long boring day for the people.We also decided on two teams only because there are also other activities,” he said.There are no fixed times for when the activities will start on the day, but it will be made available in the media at a later stage.The winning team on the day receives N$20 000, gold medals and a floating trophy to be handed over by Nujoma while the runner-up pockets N$10 000 and silver medals.He said the main reason for having one football match was to prove that other events except football can also be held at the stadium.On the question of how much teams will be required to pay per match, figures given was that it will cost N$4 500 per team, playing one game.The amount (N$4 500) will only include the parking area and the kiosk, except the use of the VIP section.In case a team or organisation wishes to use the VIP section, a further N$2 500 will be required.At this stage, teams pay about N$1 000 for the usage of the Independence Stadium, while half of that amount is payable for the use of the Khomasdal Stadium, Ramblers Stadium and SKW.For concerts and cultural activities, a fee of N$7 500 will be charged as rental.Welfare organisations, schools and churches will automatically qualify for a 50 percent discount on that (N$7 500) fee.However, the members of the public will not gain free entry on the opening day as they will be required to fork out N$10 per person, while the children will part with N$5.Mayumbelo added that seven companies have expressed interest to handle the marketing and advertising duties for the stadium.He said the winning bidder will be made known soon. He said the bulk of the revenue will be from rental fees, while the advertisements in and around the stadium are also expected to generate more funds.When asked about a part of the tunnel which interfered partly with the field of play at the stadium, Mayumbelo said all had been fixed and the strikers playing on the field can be assured of scoring many goals.”This is a good stadium as we have met all the requirements of Fifa,” he added.