Chinese embassy’s support boosts Namibia’s global sports dreams
FOOTBALL
NSSU lauds Ambassador Zhao Weiping's contribution to Namibia's participation in the ISF Football World Cup in China, highlighting a budding partnership in sports development.
The Namibia School Sport Union (NSSU) has hailed the Chinese Embassy in Namibia for its substantial support in ensuring Namibia’s participation in the International Schools Sports Federation (ISF) World Cup Youth Championship in Dalian City, China, in May 2024.Speaking to Sportwrap yesterday, Theo Nuugulu, outgoing chairperson of NSSU and president of the Africa School Sports Federation (FASS) for SADC, described the embassy's contributions as transformative.
"The Chinese Embassy under His Excellency Zhao Weiping has shown unparalleled commitment to Namibia's youth through this sponsorship, which not only fosters global exposure but cements our long-term collaboration in sports development," Nuugulu stated.
The NSSU team, comprising 23 players and officials, required a budget of N$900,000 for travel, accommodation, and meals.
The Chinese Embassy stepped in with N$500,000 in cash, alongside covering accommodation and meals for the team in China, reducing the financial strain on the NSSU and its stakeholders.
"This generosity was instrumental in making our participation possible. It demonstrates the embassy’s dedication to strengthening Namibia-China relations, particularly in areas beyond traditional economic and political collaborations," Nuugulu added.
The embassy has extended similar support to other Namibian sports teams, including the Khomas region school football team that travelled to Yangzhou last year in October.
"This partnership is rooted in the realization that while our two nations collaborate on many fronts, sport development remains an untapped area with immense potential," Nuugulu said.
The NSSU views this participation as the foundation for a larger collaboration with China, particularly in benchmarking Namibia’s school sports development against China's globally recognized standards.
"China is a leading member of the International School Sport Federation, making this relationship a strategic opportunity to enhance Namibia's sports development continuum," Nuugulu emphasized.
Nuugulu believes the ISF championship in China is more than just a tournament.
"It’s the bedrock of a serious benchmarking exercise that positions the NSSU as a key player in Namibia’s sport development agenda," he remarked.