Who will be the next sports minister?

Big expectations
Deputy sports minister Emma Kantema-Gaomas and former NIPDB executive director Dino Ballotti have both been touted as preferred candidates for the top ministerial job by some in the sports fraternity.
Jesse Kauraisa
  • 15 Hours Ago
Namibia is set to welcome a new sports, youth and national service minister after 21 March following last year’s disputed elections, as the current minister, Agnes Tjongarero, prepares to step down.

As it stands, a major Cabinet reshuffle is expected once President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah assumes office in two months.

The pressing question within the sports fraternity, however, is who the president will appoint as the next minister of sport.

Former Namibia Football Association (NFA) secretary-general Jochen Traut said in his view, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, the current deputy minister of sport, has the proper credentials to lead the ministry.

Kantema-Gaomas was placed 31st after the Swapo Party electoral college congress.

“In my own opinion, I would say that the president must consider choosing the current deputy minister of sport, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, as the minister," Traut said.

“I am saying this because I feel she has been part of the system and has been involved in many different projects ever since she was named deputy minister," he explained.

“Dino Ballotti has been involved more in football, but I am not sure about his interest in other sports,” Traut added.



High expectations

Regional sports officer and race director Bethold Karumendu also expressed support for the current deputy minister.

Karumendu believes that Kantema-Gaomas has a strong understanding of the sports sector's needs.

“The deputy minister will be a good person in that position because she has been part of the process and understands the needs in the sport fraternity," he said.

“All we can hope for is that the person that will take over will be able to transform sports and ensure that it takes a proper direction,” Karumendu underlined.

Labour consultant and outspoken sport commentator Olsen Kahiriri said it is too soon to name potential candidates given that the opposition is disputing the election through the courts.

Kahiriri, however, still tipped Dino Ballotti as a potential candidate for the position due to his close ties with the president and the manner in which he has been involved in sports.

“This is an obvious case that the president will choose Ballotti, and that is why she brought him in as one of her candidates," he remarked.

“Sport has so many issues that have to be addressed, and I think that is why there could be a feeling that Ballotti will be the right person,” Kahiriri said.

Chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, Freddy Mwiya and Brave Warriors legend Lolo Goraseb preferred not to name anyone but said the next minister should be able to transform the industry.