Change of plans
The 2017 Nedbank Citi Dash which was scheduled for 24 June, has been postponed to a later date.
Nedbank Namibia Limited, in conjunction with EY Namibia and the Namibia National Olympic Committee, postponed the 2017 Nedbank Citi Dash due to Toivo ya Toivo's untimely death.
Late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo will be laid to rest on the same day the marathon was supposed to take place. Gernot de Klerk, Nedbank Namibia's head of marketing and communications said that they join the nation in mourning the loss of the liberation hero and believe it to be only appropriate to cancel the Nedbank Citi Dash.
Communication specialist at Nedbank Selma Shipanga said that they have remained in close contact with their partners in the ministry of sports, as well as the Namibian police, and all members of the organising committee, are in agreement with the decision.
She further said that they did not incur any financial losses and that arrangements are underway to reimburse the hundreds of runners who have already entered to participate in the Nedbank Citi Dash.
“We invite the participants to keep a lookout for when we announce the new date for the Citi Dash,” Shipanga added.
Shipanga further added that they have not received any complaints from participants as yet, “most of the feedback we have gotten on the postponement has been quite positive with everybody agreeing that it was a good decision to postpone as a mark of respect for the legacy of the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.”
Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary-general, Joan Smit said the Olympic Day, which would have underpinned the Nedbank Citi Dash, will similarly be deferred.
The inaugural Nedbank Citi Dash, which will see the country's premier runners compete along Windhoek's iconic Independence Avenue, promises to be a lucrative event on the sporting calendar with prizes totalling N$60 000 spread over all the various categories.
But not only does it offer financial gain but will bring Namibians together in celebration and ultimately establish itself as one of the premier sporting and social events in the country.
An announcement on a rescheduled date will be made once the organising committee has assessed all available options.
Limba Mupetami
Late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo will be laid to rest on the same day the marathon was supposed to take place. Gernot de Klerk, Nedbank Namibia's head of marketing and communications said that they join the nation in mourning the loss of the liberation hero and believe it to be only appropriate to cancel the Nedbank Citi Dash.
Communication specialist at Nedbank Selma Shipanga said that they have remained in close contact with their partners in the ministry of sports, as well as the Namibian police, and all members of the organising committee, are in agreement with the decision.
She further said that they did not incur any financial losses and that arrangements are underway to reimburse the hundreds of runners who have already entered to participate in the Nedbank Citi Dash.
“We invite the participants to keep a lookout for when we announce the new date for the Citi Dash,” Shipanga added.
Shipanga further added that they have not received any complaints from participants as yet, “most of the feedback we have gotten on the postponement has been quite positive with everybody agreeing that it was a good decision to postpone as a mark of respect for the legacy of the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.”
Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary-general, Joan Smit said the Olympic Day, which would have underpinned the Nedbank Citi Dash, will similarly be deferred.
The inaugural Nedbank Citi Dash, which will see the country's premier runners compete along Windhoek's iconic Independence Avenue, promises to be a lucrative event on the sporting calendar with prizes totalling N$60 000 spread over all the various categories.
But not only does it offer financial gain but will bring Namibians together in celebration and ultimately establish itself as one of the premier sporting and social events in the country.
An announcement on a rescheduled date will be made once the organising committee has assessed all available options.
Limba Mupetami
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