Luanda: Angola and Namibia intend to increase cooperation in the field of sports from 2026 onwards, with a focus on infrastructure development and training, announced on Thursday the Namibian Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Balloti. The initiative aims to foster closer ties between the two countries through shared sporting activities and projects.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the Namibian official made the statement following a meeting with the Angolan Minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falcao. The cooperation will include the training of basketball coaches and combat sports such as judo and karate. The meeting also addressed the necessity for extensive collaboration in the field of youth, highlighting the potential for broader engagement between the nations.

Dino Balloti expressed Namibia's interest in leveraging the experience of Angolan coaches in these sports. He noted that the bilateral cooperation is currently in an "embryonic" phase, suggesting that technical work is required to ensure tangible results by the first quarter of 2026. This partnership reflects both countries' commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting sports development at various levels.

Additionally, Paulo Madeira, the Secretary of State for Sports, emphasized that the partnership will significantly contribute to the development of sport, particularly among young people, and will serve as a strong foundation for future collaborations between Angola and Namibia.