Letshego sponsors youth games
The Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) last week received a generous sponsorship from Letshego Bank Namibia for next year’s youth games.
of the Namibia National Youth Games (NNYG) is set to take place in December nest year. Letshego donated N$135 000 towards the 2019 edition.
Speaking to The Zone on Tuesday, NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya expressed his gratitude towards Letshego.
Mwiya said they will need about N$3 million to ensure that the championships run successfully next year.
“This year the cost of the games was N$1.7 million, although we could not cover all the needs,” he said.
Mwiya added next year will see a total of 13 sport codes completing, as they have added three new ones - rugby, hockey and karate.
He therefore urged more corporates to come on board.
“With their help we will be able to improve on the standard and make it of international quality,” he said.
Commenting on why the games will take place in December, Mwiya said: “This year’s games took place in May and we only had four months of preparations, which was not enough.”
He said they wanted to secure a reliable venue (the University of Namibia), and in December the students are on holiday, which meant all the athletes can be accommodated.
This year was a challenge as the athletes were accommodated at different venues, Mwiya added.
Letshego marketing manager Jacques Bock said the company strives to support youth upliftment.
“Our primary focus is to assist in providing sport development at grassroots level to create opportunities for athletes at all levels, and make sport accessible to all Namibians interested in participating,” he said.
Bock said with the current economic headwinds, government is cutting back on the financial support granted to several national initiatives.
For more developed economies worldwide sport remains a vital contributor towards economic growth, by promoting national development and healthy lifestyles, Bock said.
He said athletics is also currently seen as a financial burden, rather than an opportunity to create employment opportunities that will contribute to the economic growth of the country.
“The sporting fraternity has taken a hit; our government alone will not be able to meet the needs of our youth. Therefore, we call on the private sector to join the race and support such initiatives,” said Bock.
Speaking to The Zone on Tuesday, NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya expressed his gratitude towards Letshego.
Mwiya said they will need about N$3 million to ensure that the championships run successfully next year.
“This year the cost of the games was N$1.7 million, although we could not cover all the needs,” he said.
Mwiya added next year will see a total of 13 sport codes completing, as they have added three new ones - rugby, hockey and karate.
He therefore urged more corporates to come on board.
“With their help we will be able to improve on the standard and make it of international quality,” he said.
Commenting on why the games will take place in December, Mwiya said: “This year’s games took place in May and we only had four months of preparations, which was not enough.”
He said they wanted to secure a reliable venue (the University of Namibia), and in December the students are on holiday, which meant all the athletes can be accommodated.
This year was a challenge as the athletes were accommodated at different venues, Mwiya added.
Letshego marketing manager Jacques Bock said the company strives to support youth upliftment.
“Our primary focus is to assist in providing sport development at grassroots level to create opportunities for athletes at all levels, and make sport accessible to all Namibians interested in participating,” he said.
Bock said with the current economic headwinds, government is cutting back on the financial support granted to several national initiatives.
For more developed economies worldwide sport remains a vital contributor towards economic growth, by promoting national development and healthy lifestyles, Bock said.
He said athletics is also currently seen as a financial burden, rather than an opportunity to create employment opportunities that will contribute to the economic growth of the country.
“The sporting fraternity has taken a hit; our government alone will not be able to meet the needs of our youth. Therefore, we call on the private sector to join the race and support such initiatives,” said Bock.
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