Cricket Namibia chief executive officer Johan Muller says sustained grassroots development, improved infrastructure, and professional administration have driven the sport’s growth as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Speaking on New Era’s Game Time with Marco, Muller reflected on his tenure since 2019, when he took over an organisation facing financial difficulties, limited facilities and challenges in its development structures.
He said Cricket Namibia had to align its strategy with the International Cricket Council (ICC), improve infrastructure, strengthen women’s cricket, and build staff capacity.
“We said our motto would be to understand and align under ICC strategy and funding, to create structures that will support that strategy and then to build capacity of our staff,” Muller said.
From financial challenges to growth
When Muller arrived in Namibia in late 2019, Cricket Namibia had N$5 million in debt, limited school competitions and only a handful of grass pitches across the country.
The organisation also faced negative public perceptions, with cricket often viewed as an expensive sport accessible mainly to wealthy white communities.
Muller said improving administration and investing in staff development were essential to changing the organisation’s operations and public image.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, five administrative staff members completed 27 online courses to improve their professional skills, while the organisation maintained a consistent effort to communicate positive developments about its programmes.
He credited the board’s strategic leadership and support from sponsors and partners for helping Cricket Namibia improve its financial position, operations and performance.
Unlike organisations where board members also handle daily operations, Cricket Namibia’s board focuses on strategy, policy and oversight, leaving operational responsibilities to management.
Muller said other sporting codes could learn from this structure and the importance of aligning their programmes with funding opportunities available from international federations.
Keeping young players in cricket
Grassroots development remains a major priority, with Cricket Namibia’s Ashburton Kwata and Mini Cricket programmes growing from 16 000 children in 2018 to more than 100 000 currently accessing the game. About 50 000 participate in regular matches.
However, retaining young players remains a challenge as children progress through school and university, with some leaving the sport to pursue other careers.
Equipment costs are another obstacle. Muller said a cricket bat suitable for a high school learner could cost between N$3 000 and N$4 000, while top-of-the-range bats can cost as much as N$18 000.
To make the game more attractive, Cricket Namibia has introduced six-a-side tournaments and adjusted competition rules to ensure more players get opportunities to bat and bowl.
Competitions are also spread across the year, allowing children to participate beyond a single school term or season.
“We’ve looked at ways on how to make cricket more attractive. How to get kids to really enjoy it, to want to come back,” he said.
The organisation has established regional development centres and is investing in facilities, coaching and competitions to help children progress from mini cricket to hard-ball cricket.
Centres and programmes across the country are intended to give young players from towns such as Outjo, Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay and other communities opportunities similar to those available in Windhoek.
Cricket Namibia has also built nine concrete pitches at public schools this year to support the transition to hard-ball cricket.
Muller cited the Kuisebmund Development Hub in Walvis Bay as an example of the impact of sustained investment. The programme has produced seven national women’s players, while male player Max Heingo progressed from the hub to represent Namibia at the Men’s World Cup at 18 years old.
“You need to commit to grassroots for a seven- to 10-year programme before you’re really going to see U/19s migrating into national teams,” he said.
Advancing women’s cricket
Women’s cricket has also received increased investment, including appointing South African coach Francois van der Merwe to help professionalise the programme.
Muller said 14 women players are now contracted, allowing them to focus on cricket while continuing their studies and developing additional skills.
Namibia’s Capricorn Eagles rose to 16th in the ICC rankings before slipping to 18th after a difficult tournament. Their recent Capricorn Series performance, in which they won six of seven matches before losing the final to Uganda, offered encouragement.
Muller credited Capricorn’s sponsorship and Cricket Namibia’s own resource allocation for supporting the development of the women’s game.
Preparing for the ODI World Cup
Cricket Namibia is preparing to co-host the One-Day International (ODI) World Cup with South Africa and Zimbabwe, starting in September 2027, after successfully hosting the U/19 World Cup earlier this year.
Muller said the junior tournament experience strengthened preparations, with infrastructure largely in place, although drainage and practice facilities still need improvement.
An ICC and Cricket South Africa inspection on 23 October was expected to provide further guidance on hosting requirements.
He added that early government coordination, particularly regarding visas, border clearance and logistical support, would be crucial to ensuring smooth tournament operations.
The U/19 World Cup brought an estimated N$380 million in direct and indirect economic impact to Namibia. Muller said it was difficult to forecast the economic benefits of the upcoming six-match men’s tournament, although England’s participation was expected to attract greater spectator interest.
He urged tourism operators, accommodation providers, transport companies and other businesses to prepare for more visitors.
“We should have started two years ago,” he said, stressing the need to improve tourism services, airport immigration processes and the overall visitor experience.
A wider impact
Beyond international competition, Muller said major tournaments could create opportunities for small and medium enterprises and communities beyond Windhoek through tourism and related services.
He also emphasised the importance of sustained investment and effective administration in helping sporting codes grow, while acknowledging that Cricket Namibia benefits from ICC support because its programmes align with the international federation’s funding priorities.
According to Muller, the long-term objective is to build a stronger national cricket system, widen participation and ensure Namibia can compete internationally while delivering lasting benefits to the country.
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