Team Namibia Receives National Flag Ahead of Glasgow Commonwealth Games

WINDHOEK — President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially handed the Namibian flag to Team Namibia on Wednesday, wishing the country’s athletes success as they prepare to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August.

The ceremony, held at State House, marked Namibia’s official send-off ahead of its eighth appearance at the Commonwealth Games. Among those in attendance were Minister of Education, Innovation, Sports, Youth, Arts and Culture Dr Sanet Steenkamp, Namibia National Olympic Committee president Dr Ndeulipula Hamutumwa, British High Commissioner to Namibia Neil Bradley, as well as team officials, coaches and athletes.

Welcoming the delegation, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she had been looking forward to the occasion since meeting representatives of the Namibia National Olympic Committee and the Namibia Commonwealth Games Association in April.

“I am pleased to welcome you all to State House for the send-off ceremony and to officially present the National Flag to Team Namibia ahead of the country’s eighth participation at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026,” she said.

The President praised the Namibia National Olympic Committee, coaches, administrators and support staff for helping the athletes qualify for the Games, while also acknowledging the role families had played throughout their journey.

Addressing the athletes directly, Nandi-Ndaitwah congratulated them on earning the opportunity to represent Namibia on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

“The countless hours of training, sacrifices, and determination have earned you the honour to represent your motherland at the upcoming Commonwealth Games,” she said.

Pledging her support, she added: “As your number one cheerleader, I will be supporting and following your journey throughout the competition.

She encouraged the athletes to remember that they would be representing not only themselves but the entire nation, urging them to compete with integrity, humility and respect.

“Conduct yourselves with integrity, humility, respect, and sportsmanship. Compete fairly, respect the rules and values of your respective sporting discipline, and demonstrate the character that unites us as a nation, ‘One Namibia-One Nation,’” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah described the Commonwealth Games as more than a sporting event, saying they provide an opportunity to strengthen friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding among Commonwealth nations.

She also used the occasion to highlight her government’s commitment to developing sport, noting that the Eighth Administration has identified sport as the country’s second national priority. As part of that commitment, she said, 28 sites have already been identified for the construction and upgrading of sports facilities across Namibia’s 14 regions to improve access for young people.

“Sports does not only keep people fit, but it also creates opportunities for young people, promotes healthy lifestyles, strengthens social cohesion, instils discipline, promotes harmony amongst people from different cultures and showcases our national identity on the international stage,” she said.

In her closing remarks, the President encouraged Team Namibia to inspire future generations through their performances before formally presenting the national flag.

“May this flag remind you of the sacrifices made by those who paved the way for you, the unity of our people, and the responsibility you carry as representatives of Namibia,” she said.

“Let it serve as a constant reminder that the entire nation stands proudly behind you.”

Team Namibia will now travel to Glasgow, where it will compete across multiple sporting codes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.