Omaruru and Karibib athletics to be revived
The dusty towns of Omaruru and Karibib have often played host to entertaining long-distance events, which sports officer Berthold Karumendu hopes to revive.
NAMPA
Omaruru-based Erongo regional sports officer Berthold Karumendu says 2022 will be a year that will see him revive all the athletic activities, usually held in his region.
This includes the Navachab Half-Marathon at Karibib, and the Spar challenge and the Street Mile at Omaruru which have not been held since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
In an interview with Nampa this week, Karumendu said in 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 affected the hosting of the events but with the government putting regulations in place they are now looking forward to the year that will be filled with sport activities.
“Our events require mass participation and we did not know what to do when the pandemic started but with the new regulations we can now work according to those regulations,” he said.
He added that in the past, his office hosted events that attracted 1 000 athletes, which is something that sponsors want to see at events. The limited number of people permitted at gatherings under the health regulation poses a challenge.
“Our main sponsors don’t want to host events that have few people but if we are to revive these competitions that kept athletes active while at the same time gaining an income, we will have to work around that as we adhere to the Covid-19 regulations which limit the numbers of people at gatherings,' he said.
Karumendu said an event that will not be hosted this year is the Omaruru Cycle Challenge, but dates for their athletic activities will be announced later in the year as they are still busy with the planning.
Omaruru-based Erongo regional sports officer Berthold Karumendu says 2022 will be a year that will see him revive all the athletic activities, usually held in his region.
This includes the Navachab Half-Marathon at Karibib, and the Spar challenge and the Street Mile at Omaruru which have not been held since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
In an interview with Nampa this week, Karumendu said in 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 affected the hosting of the events but with the government putting regulations in place they are now looking forward to the year that will be filled with sport activities.
“Our events require mass participation and we did not know what to do when the pandemic started but with the new regulations we can now work according to those regulations,” he said.
He added that in the past, his office hosted events that attracted 1 000 athletes, which is something that sponsors want to see at events. The limited number of people permitted at gatherings under the health regulation poses a challenge.
“Our main sponsors don’t want to host events that have few people but if we are to revive these competitions that kept athletes active while at the same time gaining an income, we will have to work around that as we adhere to the Covid-19 regulations which limit the numbers of people at gatherings,' he said.
Karumendu said an event that will not be hosted this year is the Omaruru Cycle Challenge, but dates for their athletic activities will be announced later in the year as they are still busy with the planning.
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