Namibia, Botswana to sign AFCON MoU
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday March 26, 2022 06:00
Botswana officials were in Namibia last week Friday, where Windhoek authorities formally accepted a proposal for a joint bid. In January, Botswana invited Namibia to consider co-hosting the 24-team competition. “Both parties will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will be used as a guideline for preparing a bid to host and related dynamics,” an insider told Mmegi Sport this week. Mmegi Sport has established that factors such as the establishment of a bid committee by the two countries are expected to be finalised at the meeting. “A presser (press conference) is expected to be held in Gaborone soon. The details of the bid will be explained then,” Namibia’s Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service permanent secretary, Audrin Mathe said yesterday. Last week, the Namibian Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga announced that his country has agreed to co-host the 2027 AFCON finals with Botswana.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment Sport and Culture Development Tumiso Rakgare said Botswana will share details about plans to host the tournament with Namibia soon. Rakgare was accompanied by the permanent secretary in his ministry, Kago Ramokate, Botswana National Sport Commission chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho and Botswana Football Association technical director, Tshepo Mphukuthi. Namibia shed some light on the hosting arrangement. Namibia has said that Botswana will contribute the bulk of the budget for the tournament should the bid succeed.
According to Namibian media reports, the hosting will be on a 60:40 percent ratio, with Botswana getting the larger chunk. It means Botswana will contribute 60% of the hosting budget while Namibia chips in with the remainder. It is understood that both countries have also given assurances that there will be a reasonable budget allocated for preparing for the tournament in case the bidding process is deemed successful. Botswana has set aside funds to conduct a feasibility study to host the tournament.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Peggy Serame said this when delivering the 2022 Budget Speech early this year. She, however, did not specify the amount. Namibia is said to be considering private funding, support through donations, sponsorships, among others, to fund the tournament.