UEFA boss urges Namibia to build sports facilities

Deon Hotto of Namibia celebrates his goal during the 2015 Cosafa Cup final match between Namibia and Mozambique at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 30, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Jan 10, 2018. 09:30

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has challenged the Namibian Football Association to improve their football infrastructure so they can become a top footballing nation.

Ceferin was speaking at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, saying development can help the South West African country become one of Africa's bigger football nations.

The UEFA boss was speaking to the Namibian Press Agency as he visited Namibia from December 27 with family and friends.

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"We see it in Europe - when there is no infrastructure, there is no football. Having sports infrastructure not only helps football and other sports, it also helps the ministries of health and the police," he said.

"If children have a place to play and keep themselves busy, they will not commit crime. It is the same in Europe - if you have infrastructure, you have football.

“But if you don't have it, then there is no way you will practice football.

"I think with the proper development of football, with which UEFA is doing a good job, Namibia can become a big football country.

“We cooperate with many football associations around the world because we want to show some solidarity by helping the FA's."

Furthermore, Ceferin said when sports infrastructure is available children have somewhere to go instead of being on the streets where they can possibly get exposed to alcohol and drugs.