July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - Web posted at 12:34:36 PM GMT

Polana to sponsor Cosassa Ball Games

NAMIB Mills, through its product, Polana, yesterday announced a sponsorship of N$50 000 for the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cosassa ) Ball Games which take place in Walvis Bay from August 23 to 25.

Eleven countries are affiliated to Cosassa, while teams will be involved in volleyball, netball, soccer and basketball.

Cosassa was launched in Windhoek three years ago after its constitution was adopted by the inaugural meeting of the confederation.

The objects of Cosassa are to promote education through sport; stimulate the development of sport in member countries; provide regular competitions; raise standards of performance through training programmes and competitions; and foster relations among scholars, staff and stakeholders.

The member countries of Cosassa are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Madagascar, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo have shown an interest in joining the group.

The president of Cosassa, Frans Gertze, said that the inaugural meeting three years ago at Windhoek's Independence Stadium was a roaring success."

"In terms of the feedback received no other competition hosted has ever met the quality of the organisation both on and off the field."

Gertze congratulated Pasta Polana on its sponsorship for its "wonderful initiative" of associating themselves with Cosassa and the Namibian School Sport Union.

"In this globalised world, SADC generally and Namibia in particular will only stand out and be noted if we can offer something to this globalised and competitive world ... Cosassa is here to provide the platform for all scholars with potential to be identified and groomed to become stars of Southern Africa and Africa," he said.

The managing director of Namib Mills, Kobus van Graan, said it was a special occasion for Namib Mills to have been accepted as the anchor sponsor of the Cosassa Ball Games.

"We have grown from a humble small milling company in Namibia to a diversified food manufacturing company with activities throughout our region. Therefore, it makes us proud to play a part when Namibia hosts a regional sports event like the Cosassa Ball Games," he said.

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