MTC engages in rural sport
MTC says the first MTC-supported Okakarara horse-racing event, which took place on the fringes of the Okakarara Trade Fair, was a resounding success.
MTC management has hinted that it might sponsor the sport.
More than 5 000 fans flocked to the Okakarara horse races on Saturday.
The telecommunication company sponsored the event to the tune of N$90 000, of which N$55 000 was monetary and N$35 000 in kind, in the form of equipment for the jockeys and umpires.
Joseph Mundjindi, sponsorship manager at MTC, said: “MTC continues its commitment to give back to the community through its corporate social responsibility programme.
“We have noticed that corporate support for sports have for a large part only being concentrated within urban areas, thus leaving the peri-rural areas neglected.”
According to Mundjindi, the neglect of rural sport will lead to skewed sport development in the country.
“The lack of support will not augur well for Namibia as a sporting nation, as it has the potential to deny deserving youth an opportunity to excel due to obvious reasons.
“While it is important that we support sport development whether it is in urban or rural areas, I think the time has come that corporate Namibia focuses on our sport budgets to rural and less privileged communities to create the sense and spirit of oneness,” he said.
An executive member of the Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA), Benjamin Itandua Kasuto, expressed concern about the level of funding when it comes to horse racing.
“Horse racing as a sport code has been underfunded in the past and the sponsorship from MTC is invaluable and highly appreciated,” Kasuto said.
MTC has been part of the Okakarara Trade Fair since its inception and the horse-racing event this year was added as an additional fun element.
SPORT REPORTER
MTC management has hinted that it might sponsor the sport.
More than 5 000 fans flocked to the Okakarara horse races on Saturday.
The telecommunication company sponsored the event to the tune of N$90 000, of which N$55 000 was monetary and N$35 000 in kind, in the form of equipment for the jockeys and umpires.
Joseph Mundjindi, sponsorship manager at MTC, said: “MTC continues its commitment to give back to the community through its corporate social responsibility programme.
“We have noticed that corporate support for sports have for a large part only being concentrated within urban areas, thus leaving the peri-rural areas neglected.”
According to Mundjindi, the neglect of rural sport will lead to skewed sport development in the country.
“The lack of support will not augur well for Namibia as a sporting nation, as it has the potential to deny deserving youth an opportunity to excel due to obvious reasons.
“While it is important that we support sport development whether it is in urban or rural areas, I think the time has come that corporate Namibia focuses on our sport budgets to rural and less privileged communities to create the sense and spirit of oneness,” he said.
An executive member of the Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA), Benjamin Itandua Kasuto, expressed concern about the level of funding when it comes to horse racing.
“Horse racing as a sport code has been underfunded in the past and the sponsorship from MTC is invaluable and highly appreciated,” Kasuto said.
MTC has been part of the Okakarara Trade Fair since its inception and the horse-racing event this year was added as an additional fun element.
SPORT REPORTER
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