THE president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Ndeulipula Hamutumwa said that progress, consistency and athlete development will be their main aims for 2026.
In a press release issued by the NNOC, Hamutumwa gave his views on a number of issues regarding Namibian sport.
1. As president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, what are your expectations from Namibian sport this year?
My expectations for Namibian sport this year are centred on progress, consistency, and athlete development.
We want to see improved performances across all sporting codes, stronger governance within federations, and a continued focus on youth and grassroots development.
Importantly, this year is about building sustainable pathways that allow our athletes to compete confidently on the continental and global stage.
2. What were your highlights last year regarding Team Namibia’s performance at various competitions?
Last year’s highlights included commendable performances by Team Namibia at regional and international competitions, where several athletes achieved personal bests and reached finals against strong competition.
These performances demonstrated the growing depth of talent in Namibia and reaffirmed that, with the right preparation and support, our athletes can compete at a high level.
Highlights were the medals count at the African School Games in Algeria where 25 Athelets won 22 Medals, placing them 7th out of 48 countries.
The African Youth Games in December in Angola was another triumph where the team came back with 20 medals, placing them 10th overall out of 54 countries.
(Namibia came 24th in terms of gold medals won, but 10th in terms of total medals won).
3. What did we do wrong last year, and what can we do better this year?
One of the key challenges last year was limited preparation time for some athletes, as well as resource constraints that affected exposure to high-level competition.
This year, we are focusing on earlier planning, improved coordination with national federations, enhanced athlete monitoring, and better utilisation of available resources to ensure athletes are adequately prepared both physically and mentally.
4. This year is a Youth Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games year. What are the plans for Namibia’s participation, and what can we expect from Team Namibia?
The NNOC, in collaboration with Government, national federations, IOC and Commonwealth Sport are prioritising early identification of qualifying athletes, targeted preparation programmes, and structured international exposure.
For the Youth Olympic Games, our emphasis is on talent development and long-term athlete growth, while for the Commonwealth Games we aim to field competitive athletes capable of reaching finals and podium positions.
5. How many medals is Team Namibia targeting at the Youth Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games?
While medal targets are important, our primary focus remains on performance standards and competitive progression. That said, we are cautiously optimistic about podium prospects at both events, particularly in sports where Namibia has traditionally been strong. Final medal expectations will depend on qualification outcomes and athlete readiness closer to the events.
6. What type of support will the Namibia National Olympic Committee provide to Team Namibia this year?
The NNOC will provide technical, logistical, and administrative support, including access to training camps, international competitions, medical and sports science services where possible, and continued engagement with coaches and federations.
We are also strengthening partnerships to improve athlete welfare and preparation standards.
7. Any additional information you would like to add?
I would like to emphasise that the success of Namibian sport depends on collaboration among all stakeholders — athletes, federations, government, sponsors, and the private sector.
The NNOC remains committed to fostering an environment where athletes can thrive and proudly represent Namibia on the world stage.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch.
It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency,
while
maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!