Reviving Augustineum’s fallen sport grounds

 A University of Namibia visual arts graduate has designed a concept to revive Augustineum Secondary School’s dilapidated sport facilities for school and community use.

Teofelus Imene wants to revamp the school’s sport facilities at both Katutura and Khomasdal.

Imene recently told Desert FM Augustineum’s facilities are popular as they host rugby and soccer matches, as well as athletics.

He said the revamp can only happen if the school’s management sees his draft design concept to renovate the school’s stadium.

The young designer highly rates the sport fields of both Van Rhyn Primary School and Academia High School.

“I didn’t have the general idea back then, but I schooled at Van Rhyn in 2003. That sport field is still one of the best maintained in the whole country.

“Academia, where I attended high school, also has a high standard of maintenance when it comes to their sport field, but that cannot be said about some schools at Katutura and Khomasdal.”

Imene said Khomasdal Primary School’s field used to be one of the best, but is today “absolutely gravel pitch”.

“We are excited to submit this proposal. Currently, the Namibian sport sector is faced with the significant challenge of inadequate sport facilities.

“This results in some facilities being overused. The proposal outlines an innovative design concept aimed at turning one of the most used, favored and dilapidated sport fields in Windhoek into a revamped, fully functioning sport facility,” he said.

Imene said his design document details how to address these challenges and deliver measurable results.

He said Augustineum’s sport field hosts a number of competitions, ranging from numerous social leagues, open tournaments and school team matches, as well as club practice sessions.

Imene said the international standard of the Augustineum playing pitch makes it a favourite among many.

“The bigger the field, the more composed the player feels, as they have a lot of space around them.

“In its heydays, the sport field was made for football, rugby and athletics. Today, only football is accommodated as the gravel running track has wildlife around it,” he said.

He said although the football pitch has a working irrigation system, the playing surface itself is not as levelled as a football pitch is supposed to be.

The field consists of a number of uneven patches, which risks injury, he said.

“The design concept came about as an inspiration and word of advice I got at a masterclass sport development ecosystem training short course in February, where I had the opportunity to present another design concept for the Confederation of African Football standard two stadium.

“At the end of the masterclass, I was advised that it would be good if I also focused on small-scale sport facilities like school sport fields,” he said.

Imene’s design incorporates a western 1 500-seater stand, covered with a roof to protect spectators from the elements, an eight-lane athletics track, public toilets and a large area for parking on the northern side.

He said behind the stand is an area that can be used to build dressing rooms.

“There are also two basketball court facilities, and dilapidated tennis courts, which are turned into something else like a futsal or netball court. This would make the sport ground a multipurpose sport arena, owned by a school,” he said.

Imene said his design would be accommodate Namibia Football Association leagues, special leagues, open tournaments, athletics competitions, and many other outdoor events and activities.

He said many athletes live at Katutura, Otjomuise and Khomasdal.

“Getting to Independence Stadium for training with taxi fare being three times the normal price is already a challenge on its own.

“The Augustineum Stadium offers more affordable ease of access, be it by public transport or by foot.”

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