Okahandja spin event stopped in its tracks
Confusion over permits caused the event to go ahead without the headline entertainment.
COBIE BOK
The past weekend Street House Entertainment Family Theme Park hosted a Spring Party in Okahandja, where they wanted to introduce their new brand ambassador, Peter Opali aka Most Wanted. The Spin Amy was ready to burn some serious rubber, and the event looked to be one for the books as a massive crowd showed up to enjoy the spectacle.
Entertaining the Okahandja community was Dj Spuzza and his crew and the energy was electric as soon as the gates opened at 10:00.
The community was very excited to have joined the spring party, as Street House Entertainment Theme Park catered for activities for the whole family.
However, things took a turn with the first roar of one of the assembled box BMWs competing. The police had arrived and the party was put on hold, on orders of the deputy mayor Sophia Upithe, as the mayor, Johannes Hindjoh, was out of town, leaving Sophia as acting mayor.
According to documents in the possession of this reporter, the Namibian Motor Sport Federation (NMSF) had sent several letters to the municipality, informing them that the spinning event was not approved and instructed both the town council and the police station commander not to allow the event to take place.
They said the correct permits were not applied for, the dates fell outside the set NMSF calendar and there were concerns about adequate safety measures at the site.
The community was then refunded their entrance fees, the spin army was verbally warned that if they went ahead they would be fined.
The spectators then blamed the owner of the Okahandja Spins and Drags Motor Club, Elby Snyders.
“I tried to help them, it is not my call to stop a motor sports event, I will never stop anyone to spin, but you have to take the right channels. The call comes from the Sports Commission, I will love to work with Most Wanted and his team,” said Snyders.
Snyders stated that it’s all about the money and that spinning is his career. “As long as your paperwork is in order, all the safety measures are taken, required permits and approval from the NMSF, you can go ahead. This is important, because if a child dies at an illegal event, who will be held liable,” Snyders added.
Street House Entertainment Family Theme Park followed the wrong channels, according to Snyders. Street House Entertainment obtained consent from the surrounding business area and asked the mayor, who granted approval.
Street House Entertainment Theme Park promised to bring more events of this nature to Okahandja and promised to host a free event once a month just to give back to the Okahandja community.
“We are following the right channels, we are safe and we will not stand to fail the community of Okahandja,” said a representative of Street House Family Entertainment Theme Park.
The past weekend Street House Entertainment Family Theme Park hosted a Spring Party in Okahandja, where they wanted to introduce their new brand ambassador, Peter Opali aka Most Wanted. The Spin Amy was ready to burn some serious rubber, and the event looked to be one for the books as a massive crowd showed up to enjoy the spectacle.
Entertaining the Okahandja community was Dj Spuzza and his crew and the energy was electric as soon as the gates opened at 10:00.
The community was very excited to have joined the spring party, as Street House Entertainment Theme Park catered for activities for the whole family.
However, things took a turn with the first roar of one of the assembled box BMWs competing. The police had arrived and the party was put on hold, on orders of the deputy mayor Sophia Upithe, as the mayor, Johannes Hindjoh, was out of town, leaving Sophia as acting mayor.
According to documents in the possession of this reporter, the Namibian Motor Sport Federation (NMSF) had sent several letters to the municipality, informing them that the spinning event was not approved and instructed both the town council and the police station commander not to allow the event to take place.
They said the correct permits were not applied for, the dates fell outside the set NMSF calendar and there were concerns about adequate safety measures at the site.
The community was then refunded their entrance fees, the spin army was verbally warned that if they went ahead they would be fined.
The spectators then blamed the owner of the Okahandja Spins and Drags Motor Club, Elby Snyders.
“I tried to help them, it is not my call to stop a motor sports event, I will never stop anyone to spin, but you have to take the right channels. The call comes from the Sports Commission, I will love to work with Most Wanted and his team,” said Snyders.
Snyders stated that it’s all about the money and that spinning is his career. “As long as your paperwork is in order, all the safety measures are taken, required permits and approval from the NMSF, you can go ahead. This is important, because if a child dies at an illegal event, who will be held liable,” Snyders added.
Street House Entertainment Family Theme Park followed the wrong channels, according to Snyders. Street House Entertainment obtained consent from the surrounding business area and asked the mayor, who granted approval.
Street House Entertainment Theme Park promised to bring more events of this nature to Okahandja and promised to host a free event once a month just to give back to the Okahandja community.
“We are following the right channels, we are safe and we will not stand to fail the community of Okahandja,” said a representative of Street House Family Entertainment Theme Park.
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