NamRA funds N$450 000 upgrade of Eros netball courts
Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has injected N$450 000 into the renovation of the Eros Primary School netball courts. The refurbished courts were handed over to the school on Wednesday in Windhoek.
The initiative forms part of a longstanding relationship between the school and the agency dating back to July 2024, when NamRA first rented out the sporting facilities for training of teams, including the NamRA Netball Team.
NamRA and the school entered into a five-year agreement at the beginning of last year, allowing the agency to revamp the facilities with its branding and use them for training its teams at no cost during the term.
Speaking at the handover, NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute said the initiative was the brainchild of the executive founding members of the agency’s Umoja Social Club.
Shivute explained that the social club is funded by NamRA employees from their own pockets and plays a key role in driving community initiatives.
“The social club makes things happen. It is because of this initiative that we were able to support the revamping of the netball courts,” he said.
Responding to questions about the partnership after the five-year term, Shivute said collaborations must have defined timeframes but stressed that NamRA’s commitment to sport would continue.
“NamRA will continue to be a sporting institution. We will continue to need a training facility. After five years, we can look at the possibility of extending the partnership,” he said.
Reaffirming NamRA’s commitment to supporting sporting endeavours, Shivute urged corporates to “listen to the music of the future and start dancing now,” as sport remains a key socio-economic enabler.
The renovation project coordinator and Umoja Social Club founding member, Naftal Nhinda, said the initiative began with the search for a suitable training base for the institution’s various sports teams.
How it came about
Nhinda explained that the club was looking for a one-stop facility to accommodate football, volleyball, netball and athletics.
They inspected facilities at several schools, including Emma Hoogenhout Primary School, Augustineum Secondary School, and Concordia College, before visiting Eros Primary School.
“We found that Eros met our needs, as it has a netball facility, a field that can serve both football and volleyball, and an athletics track. The school also has a strong culture of maintenance, and its proximity to our head office was an added advantage,” he noted.
After discussions, Eros Primary School offered rental arrangements for the institution’s sports programmes. However, after assessing the costs, the institution decided to invest in upgrading the facilities instead.
“We wanted to leave a lasting impact rather than simply renting,” Nhinda said.
“Visibility is important to us. We want to be seen as more than just a revenue-generating institution. We do more than collect revenue.”
Nhinda said he was proud to be part of what he described as a successful initiative.
“It was not an easy project, but it is rewarding to finally see [the fruits of our labour].”
Built by Holm’s Construction, company representative Rico Kühnle-Kreitz confirmed that the courts comply fully with World Netball regulations, including court dimensions, markings and equipment.
‘Nurturing dreams of young people’
Eros Primary School principal Jacobina Hamata welcomed the handover of the renovated netball courts.
“Choosing our school sends a nationwide message [about the importance of corporate support] in revamping facilities and nurturing the dreams of young athletes,” she said.
Deputy Sports Minister Dino Ballotti challenged NamRA to upgrade more netball courts in the remaining 13 regions of the country, noting that Eros Primary School only caters to Khomas.
He nonetheless praised NamRA for supporting the “boy and girl child.”
“Any corporation can choose any sector to invest in, and NamRA has chosen to invest in sport and the boy and the girl child. This court is not only a court, but it is also the hope for young people.”
– [email protected]
