Debmarine bridges the sport gap
Grassroots initiative
The opening ceremony for the 'Bridging the Gap' schools sport development programme took place at the Vineta Sports Field in Swakopmund on Saturday.
This is the second time the initiative by Namibia's leading marine diamond mining company Debmarine Namibia, in partnership with the Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU), is being hosted.
The event was first launched in 2019 but had to take a two-year forced break from the local schools’ sporting calendar due to Covid-19.
The schools’ sports programme caters for schools from all 14 regions of the country with over 700 learners in the under-15 and u-17 categories competing in football, netball and athletics disciplines.
On the occasion, Debmarine Namibia CEO Otto Shikongo emphasised that the private sector has a responsibility to assist government in the development of sport. "We are sponsoring this competition to improve sports among the youth at grassroots level. This initiative helps the country identify future stars as well as give them the platform to shine,” he said.
“We are also using this platform to conduct a school outreach programme through which we promote awareness of career opportunities within the marine diamond recovery sector coupled as well as marine environmental awareness."
Development benefits
Shikongo highlighted that the investment made by Debmarine Namibia does not only benefit young girls and boys from the 14 regions.
"It has a far-reaching economic benefit for our communities as well.
“Our total sponsorship commitment stands at N$3 million. At the onset of the launch of this sports development initiative, we decided that the games will be hosted each year in a different region, preferably in the region of the winning team. In July this year, we launched the second season of ‘Bridging the Gap’ youth sport development programme in Windhoek and the continuation of this competition, for two consecutive years (2022 – 2023). We further included a third sporting code – athletics u-15. We decided to add athletics to inspire the youth interested in athletic track events, to also have an opportunity to showcase their talent."
Spotlight on talent
In a keynote address delivered by the deputy director of the ministry of sports, Jo-Ann Manuel, on behalf of the sports minister Agnes Tjongarero, the minister hailed sports development as a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle and said that it is the only way talent can be identified and athletes can be groomed into making a living for themselves.
"Sports is a lucrative sector. Sports development in the regions are an indication that we are moving in the direction of talent identification. We are grooming our next Olympians and directing them to their destined paths as medal holders, coaches, referees and sports doctors. Not all can be award-winning athletes who will represent this great nation. Bridging the Gap creates a sustainable, effective environment for school-going aged boys and girls and nurtures the children's learning.”
Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin encouraged all participants to apply core values such as integrity and determination in their sports and personal lives. Namibian Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma reminded the participants that commitment and hard work will eventually produce results. "It does not matter where you come from, just give your everything and live your passion."
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The event was first launched in 2019 but had to take a two-year forced break from the local schools’ sporting calendar due to Covid-19.
The schools’ sports programme caters for schools from all 14 regions of the country with over 700 learners in the under-15 and u-17 categories competing in football, netball and athletics disciplines.
On the occasion, Debmarine Namibia CEO Otto Shikongo emphasised that the private sector has a responsibility to assist government in the development of sport. "We are sponsoring this competition to improve sports among the youth at grassroots level. This initiative helps the country identify future stars as well as give them the platform to shine,” he said.
“We are also using this platform to conduct a school outreach programme through which we promote awareness of career opportunities within the marine diamond recovery sector coupled as well as marine environmental awareness."
Development benefits
Shikongo highlighted that the investment made by Debmarine Namibia does not only benefit young girls and boys from the 14 regions.
"It has a far-reaching economic benefit for our communities as well.
“Our total sponsorship commitment stands at N$3 million. At the onset of the launch of this sports development initiative, we decided that the games will be hosted each year in a different region, preferably in the region of the winning team. In July this year, we launched the second season of ‘Bridging the Gap’ youth sport development programme in Windhoek and the continuation of this competition, for two consecutive years (2022 – 2023). We further included a third sporting code – athletics u-15. We decided to add athletics to inspire the youth interested in athletic track events, to also have an opportunity to showcase their talent."
Spotlight on talent
In a keynote address delivered by the deputy director of the ministry of sports, Jo-Ann Manuel, on behalf of the sports minister Agnes Tjongarero, the minister hailed sports development as a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle and said that it is the only way talent can be identified and athletes can be groomed into making a living for themselves.
"Sports is a lucrative sector. Sports development in the regions are an indication that we are moving in the direction of talent identification. We are grooming our next Olympians and directing them to their destined paths as medal holders, coaches, referees and sports doctors. Not all can be award-winning athletes who will represent this great nation. Bridging the Gap creates a sustainable, effective environment for school-going aged boys and girls and nurtures the children's learning.”
Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin encouraged all participants to apply core values such as integrity and determination in their sports and personal lives. Namibian Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma reminded the participants that commitment and hard work will eventually produce results. "It does not matter where you come from, just give your everything and live your passion."
[email protected]
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