Sport bosses called to action at awards launch

Nominations have opened for the 22nd Namibia Annual Sport Awards, featuring realigned categories and strict safeguarding rules following the launch of the 2026 framework.

Deputy director of sport Irvine Ndjavera says the success of the awards depends on all federations’ administrators as gatekeepers of Namibia’s sporting talent.

Ndjavera was speaking on behalf of minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp during the official launch of the awards.

“To all federation administrators present today, and to those watching and listening. I’m addressing you directly.

“The success of the Namibia Annual Sport Awards depends on you. You are the gatekeepers of our sporting talent. You know your athletes, your coaches, your officials, and your programmes better than anyone.”

He says it is sport administrators’ responsibility to ensure excellence is identified, documented, and nominated.

Nominations kicked off yesterday and will run until 31 August.

Ndjavera says the 22nd Namibia Annual Sport Awards is “a statement of who we are as a nation”.

“It is a celebration of our values. It is a commitment to our future.”

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He says the awards have been structured into two broad pillars: performance excellence awards and recognition awards.

The performance excellence pillar honours the extraordinary achievements of athletes on the field of play, including sport star of the year, sportsman and sportswoman of the year, junior categories, and categories for athletes with disabilities.

“The recognition pillar celebrates those who make sport possible. It honours our coaches, our technical officials, our sports administrators, and our federations. It recognises the journalists who tell our stories, the development programmes that build

our future, and the legends who have paved the way through the wall of fame and lifetime achievement award,” Ndjavera says.

“This dual structure ensures we celebrate not only what happens on the podium, but also the ecosystem that makes podium performance possible.

“I’m particularly pleased to note that the 2026 framework has been meticulously aligned with the Namibia Sports Act.

“This is not merely a procedural exercise. It is a matter of legal integrity and institutional credibility.

“The introduction of the Podium Performance Programme, which the government has prioritised and allocated N$5 million to this year, is already producing results that have contributed to Namibia being named country of the year at the 2026 awards.

“It is worth noting that the ministry has given the Namibia National Olympic Committee N$3.5 million earlier this year to ensure Team Namibia is prepared for the Commonwealth Games and can participate as we await performance excellence.”

He says safeguarding is not negotiable, and that all nominees in performance-based categories must undergo safe sport verification, confirming no pending or concluded safeguarding violations.

“This reflects our commitment to protecting athletes from all forms of abuse, harassment, and discrimination.”

“The safe sport award category now recognises federations and organisations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to athlete welfare. An athlete’s safeguarding policy is a matter of priority which must cascade into the policy framework of our sport federations.”

Ndjavera says fair play is equally central, and that the award honours individuals who demonstrate exceptional integrity and sportsmanship, showing respect for opponents, officials, and the spirit of sport.

“Doping compliance is strictly enforced, with no doping violations permitted within the preceding five years. Good governance is embedded throughout the framework,” he says.

“This prestigious recognition, which places Namibia at the centre of regional sport recognition, reflects the progress we have made in strengthening our sport structures, implementing podium performance programmes, and investing in grassroots development,” Ndjavera says.

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