Renthia Kaimbi
QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine has increased its sponsorship of this year’s Navachab Half Marathon to N$1.5 million as it seeks to grow the event into an international competition.
The 12th edition of the race is scheduled for 19 September at the Usab Sports Field, with organisers targeting approximately 2 000 entries, up from 1 275 participants in 2025.
Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek, Navachab spokesperson Mclyn Kasale confirmed that the allocation for medals, trophies and prize money has risen from N$345 000 in 2025 to N$530 000 this year.
He emphasised that while the mine serves as the main sponsor, the event falls under the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture.
“We are simply there to develop the race. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is very passionate about sport and the sixth National Development Plan is very particular on sport as a focal area,” he stated.
Kasale said the mine will continue to inject funding into the event to facilitate its growth, expressing hope that athletes from Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and South Africa will compete in future editions.
“We want to see in the next few years athletes from Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and South Africa competing in the future Navachab marathon races.”
He thanked all 16 corporate partners from Karibib for their support, noting that Optimine Exploration & Mining has joined as the latest sponsor this year.
Director of sport Jo-Ann Manuel said that while the broader target is Vision 2030, she is confident milestones can be achieved if all stakeholders work together.
She stressed the need to professionalise sport, create career pathways for local athletes, promote high performance and ensure sustainability.
“It’s time to do away with the informal and amateur participation of our athletes. It is time to grant athletes the opportunity to compete internationally. Federations need to be capacitated and have financial sustainability. That is why we need the corporate world to come on board.”
Manuel welcomed the race organisers’ decision to have winners compete in the 2027 South African Two Oceans Marathon.
“We have to market and advocate for next year’s Navachab Half Marathon Race through Region 5 to ensure that we have international athletes for the race in the future,” she said.
Race organiser Berthold ‘BK’ Karumendu reflected on the race’s humble beginnings, revealing that the initial request to the mine in 2013 received no response until 2014, when Navachab offered N$45 000 for the maiden event.
“The first letter I wrote to the mine was in 2013, but I only got a response from the mine in 2014 when Navachab Gold Mine offered to sponsor the maiden event with N$45 000. The ministry of sport has been involved with the event since 2014. We want to make this event a mass participation competition,” Karumendu said.
He further stated that organisers will engage Athletics Namibia and World Athletics to enhance the race’s status, which can only be achieved by complying with their rules and regulations.
Optimine Exploration and Drilling marketing manager Peneyambeko Sakaria expressed the company’s willingness to be part of the event.
Chief sport officer Sackaria Mwaala said the government appreciates Navachab Gold Mine’s unwavering support, which has continued into the 12th edition.
He noted that the race contributes to youth development, community empowerment, healthy lifestyles, and provides a platform for Namibia’s elite athletes to showcase their talent.
“The government creates an enabling environment for social-cohesion, national pride and economic empowerment through these events,” said Mwaala.
