The qualification aims at sport administrators and other sport professionals to provide managerial knowledge and skills to administer sport at all levels. It will also provide candidates with essential managerial skills required within the context of the sports management environment. In attendance at the launch were representatives from various sports federations, the private and public sector. The one-year programme will be presented on distance by the Southern Business School of Namibia. The brain behind the programme, Matthew Haikali, said having been involved in the sport sector for the past 15 years, it has pained him to observe the gradual move forward in sports in other countries, while the opposite has been happening for sports in our country. "Many would say that I and many other comrades who have in-depth knowledge, and some of them are in this gathering, should have been at the forefront of driving the Namibian sport in the right direction, but instead we have been watching from the side line, as our sports spirals in the wrong direction," he proclaimed. Showing her support towards this initiative was the vice chairperson of the national sports commission, Erica Beukes, who said Namibia has seen problems in sport leadership in recent years and as sports administrators they have themselves to blame. "Sport management education is important for the progress of a nation which means we must equip our citizens with the necessary skills and know-how in order to strengthen and develop the Namibian sport industry. If we neglect sport education we will be deemed unwise by those that have already started benefiting from this industry," Beukes said. Enrolment is open till the end of July for those who are interested to join the school. The minimum entry requirements are a national senior certificate with a maximum of 40% in English as certified by Umalusi or NQF 4 National certificate. The programme is accredited by the South African qualification's authority as it is the country of origin and is also recognized by the Namibia qualifications authority. A successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Management will enable further studies towards the Diploma in Management or the Bachelor of Business Administration degree.