The Rundu Sports Stadium in the Kavango East Region remains closed beyond its planned 19 September reopening, as rehabilitation work on the playing surface continues.

The facility served as one of the Kavango East Region's key sporting venues, accommodating football, netball, volleyball, athletics, and other activities.

It provided local athletes and clubs with a dedicated venue for training and competition while also hosting major regional sporting events.

The stadium was temporarily closed in July for annual maintenance, with work focusing particularly on improving the playing surface.

It was initially expected to reopen on 19 September, but the rehabilitation took longer than anticipated as the pitch had not yet reached the required standard.

Kavango East Regional Sport Officer Erastus Someno said officials extended the closure by another two weeks to allow the work to continue.

"The stadium has been closed for almost two to three months. We were expecting it to be ready for usage on 19 September, but unfortunately, we did not meet the standard we are expecting. We are now going to give it another two weeks before opening the Rundu Sports Stadium to the public."

Officials said the additional maintenance period was necessary to ensure the facility was in suitable condition to accommodate athletes and major sporting fixtures.

The continued closure, however, meant clubs and event organisers had to make alternative arrangements while rehabilitation work continued.

Regional sport officials remain hopeful that the additional maintenance period will allow the stadium to reopen within two weeks and resume its role as one of Kavango East's key sporting facilities.