NNOC Calls for Early Athlete Preparation Ahead of Glasgow Commonwealth Games

NNOC Calls for Early Athlete Preparation Ahead of Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) has called on national sports federations to ensure athletes begin preparations early as the country gears up for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Games are scheduled to take place from 23 July to 2 August and will feature a 10-sport programme, including six fully integrated para sports. Competitions will be hosted across four venues and will include basketball, artistic gymnastics, athletics, bowls, boxing, track cycling, weightlifting, judo, netball and swimming.

NNOC president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa said early planning is a priority following challenges experienced during the previous season, particularly limited preparation time for athletes. He said the committee is placing emphasis on earlier coordination with national federations, improved athlete monitoring and better use of available resources to ensure athletes are adequately prepared both physically and mentally.

Hamutumwa also highlighted resource constraints as a key challenge, particularly in relation to exposure to high-level international competition. To address this, he said the NNOC is working with government to secure funding for international participation.

In the 2025/26 national budget tabled in March 2025, the Ministry of Sport allocated N$7 million for national teams’ preparatory games for elite athletes competing internationally. Hamutumwa said the NNOC is engaging with the ministry and the Namibia Sport Commission to ensure part of the allocated funds are released on time.

He added that the committee is also seeking additional support through the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programmes and private sector sponsorships. According to Hamutumwa, the NNOC has already submitted its budget for the Commonwealth Games and is awaiting feedback on available government funding.

Beyond Glasgow, the NNOC has also turned its attention to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Senegal from 31 October to 13 November. Hamutumwa said Namibia has sufficient time to prepare for the event and build on recent performances at continental competitions.

He added that traditional strong sport codes will be prioritised for high-performance investment as the country continues preparations for future international events, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.