Helao Nafidi invests in sporting talent

Helao Nafidi’s investment in sports infrastructure is creating new opportunities for local athletes, with a modern sports centre providing facilities for football and other sporting activities in the Ohangwena region.

The Eeshoke Chula Chula sports facility, officially inaugurated by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in August 2026, is among the town’s major developments aimed at supporting young people, promoting healthy lifestyles and expanding access to organised sport.

The centre features a football field, pavilion and facilities for netball, basketball and volleyball. Its development received support from several stakeholders, including a N$2.5 million contribution from the People’s Republic of China.

The facility also provides a home ground for Eeshoke Chula Chula FC, one of Namibia’s prominent football clubs, and is expected to help bring major football matches to the region.

Speaking at the inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah said access to sporting opportunities should not depend on whether children grow up in urban centres or rural communities.

“Namibia’s talent is spread across the length and breadth of our country, and our investment must reach it wherever it is found,” she said.

The President said the centre should help produce sporting champions, responsible citizens and new economic opportunities for Helao Nafidi and the surrounding region.

She emphasised that the facility should serve more than competitive athletes, encouraging the council and its partners to use it for community activities such as organised walking, aerobics, fitness sessions and health education.

The centre could therefore provide a space for residents to take part in recreational activities, while promoting physical wellbeing.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also called on the council to develop a sustainable management plan to ensure the facility is properly maintained and remains accessible to schools and community clubs.

She stressed the importance of making the centre safe for women and children and accessible to persons with disabilities, while ensuring that activities are organised throughout the year.

Helao Nafidi Mayor Darius Shaalukeni said the sports facility represented an investment in young people and their future.

“These facilities are more than sporting infrastructure; they are an investment in our young people, their talents, health, discipline and future,” he said.

Shaalukeni said the council wanted to bring Namibia Premier League football matches to the Ohangwena Region, giving supporters an opportunity to watch top-flight football closer to home.

The facility’s opening included a 30-minute match between Eeshoke Chula Chula FC and Mighty Gunners FC, watched by the President and other dignitaries.

The development also creates opportunities for Helao Nafidi to strengthen its role in regional sports. Nandi-Ndaitwah pointed to the town’s location near Angola as an advantage that could support sporting cooperation between the two countries.

She encouraged opportunities for tournaments, training programmes and exchanges involving clubs, schools and sports academies across the border.

Such activities could give local athletes exposure to different levels of competition while strengthening relationships between communities.

Beyond its role in competitive sport, the center has the potential to support local economic activity when matches and other events attract players, supporters and visitors to the town.

Small businesses could benefit from increased demand for food, refreshments, transport and other services during sporting events.

The long-term value of the facility will depend on its effective management, regular maintenance and consistent use by athletes and the wider community.

Through the sports centre, Helao Nafidi has expanded its sporting infrastructure while creating a space where young people can develop their abilities and residents can participate in recreational activities.

–[email protected]

Caption:

The post Helao Nafidi invests in sporting talent appeared first on New Era.