Budget headaches for sport plan

Budget headaches for sport plan The Ministry of Sport is expected to approve the proposed National Sport Plan soon, says its permanent secretary, Alfred Ilukena.

The plan was drafted at the Namibia Sports Commission's (NSC) National Sports Conference in 2014, with the aim of creating a winning sporting nation.

One of the major projects of the plan is the categorisation of sport codes.

Introducing sport in all the regions is another point stipulated in the plan.

The NSC presented the plan to the ministry for approval.

The commission's chairperson, Joel Matheus, said earlier this month that they were waiting for Minster Jerry Ekandjo to approve the plan.

“Yes, we did receive the sport plan and we have been busy doing some evaluation and requested a few things which needed to be changed on it,” Ilukena said in a telephonic interview.

However, a source in the ministry expressed concern about the implementation of the plan in view of the government's budget cuts.

The Ministry of Finance has been cutting the budgets of government departments in an attempt to stabilise the economy.

Therefore, the source predicts that it is going to be difficult for the plan to be approved, given the financial constraints.

“I must tell you that there are tough times ahead and many people within the Ministry of Sport are divided on the idea of approving the plan while the budget might possibly not suit the wishes of the Sports Commission.

“Some people feel that there is no point in approving the plan because it might not even be implemented this year due to budget cuts,” the source said.

Ilukena admitted that the budget cuts had complicated the situation, but said it would not stop the ministry from approving the plan.

He believes it is important to get the plan approved despite the unstable economy.

“The document can be approved and perhaps the implementation process will wait until there is a suitable budget available.

“I do feel that it is important that the sports commission sit with an approved plan given that it will make the implementation process easier and faster once there are funds available,” Ilukena said.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA