Martin Endjala
Corporate support is key to building successful partnerships in sport, the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero said during the official sponsorship announcement of N$400 000 to Athletics Namibia by the Namibia Desert Diamond, Namdia held in Windhoek today.
Tjongarero commented the Namdia for coming on board to ensure that Namibian athletes are well equipped for their Africa Champions competition that is slated for June 8-12, 2022.
The minister emphasized the reliance of the government on corporates to provide the necessary assistance to sport development in the country, saying that it is the only way that young Namibian talent can be showcased both at national and international level.
She says that the likes of Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi are testament to that.
Namdia has provided funds for the 15 athletes selected to participate in the Mauritius even.
The minister took time to wish the two golden girls, who are out with injury, a speedy recovery, and are unable to compete in the African Championships.
The minister advised Athletic Namibia to draft a proper and a well written financial expenses report to be handed over to Namdia, accounting on how the money was spend.
This, she says, is to show to the sponsors what their money was used for the intended purpose.
The Namdia CEO, Kennedy Hamutenya, said that the decision to sponsor Athletic Namibia, is in line with Namdia’s vision, which is to uplift the living standards of the people, pointing out that, this is the reason for the company’s existence.
Hamutenya continued by saying that sport is one area in which young people thrive, saying there are many hidden gems in Namibia. “We need to support them, because they are the future youth and leaders of the country, and we need to unleash their God given potential talent and Namdia will continue to support the youth,” he committed.
The CEO further concluded saying that, “the value of our resources must be utilized to unleash the potential of our people’’.
NAMDIA’s Chairman Bryan Eiseb said as custodians of Athletics Namibia, it is important to nurture, realize and protect potential talent.
Speaking about importance of protecting national sport colours, Eiseb said nothing for ‘Mahala’, agreeing that it is through hard work that athlete achieve great things. “If the journey gets tough, do not give up, continue pressing on”.
He further said that Namdia needs to build on long-time relationship with the Ministry of Sports.
“Our diamonds need to work for our people and to also impact our society”, said Eiseb
Speaking at the sponsorship announcement Athletics Namibia president Erwin Naimwhaka lauded the athletes’ efforts in flying the Namibian flag high.
He also thanked Namdia for the sponsorship of the team of 15 athletes’ expenses.
Henk Botha, a name that many Namibians have come to know, due to his exceptional coaching methods, expressed his excitement, saying that Namibia has exciting talents and they cannot realize their talent without support such as this.
He applauded the commitment shown by Namdia and other corporates for their support to sport in the country.
