THE Namibia Sports Awards took place at The Dome at Swakopmund on Saturday night in a glitzy event which saw 17 individual athletes, projects and teams being rewarded for their achievements over the last year.
In her welcoming remarks at the awards ceremony, which was attended by about 500 people, sports commissioner Monica Shapwa praised Namibian athletes for their achievements and because they “flew the national banner high” in their various codes.
The spokesperson of key event sponsor MTC Namibia, Marvin Amuenje, commended sponsors for their role in developing sports through funding and incentives, but he also lamented mismanagement, corruption and racism in sport as stumbling blocks to sports development.
Namibia Sports Commission chairperson Joel Matheus said there have been a number of positive developments in local sport over the last year, while sports minister Erastus Uutoni reaffirmed the government’;s “total commitment” to sports development.
“The year has been hectic in trying to move sport to the next level considering all the challenges the sector is facing. Without proper government structures it will be impossible for codes to achieve goals,” he said.
Uutoni also spoke about fighting discrimination and racism in sport.
“It has to be fought collectively. Racism cannot just be fought with lip service, but with serious consequences for perpetrators,” he said.
The category winners at Saturday’;s Namibia Sports Awards were:
: – Rusten Mogane (former Brave Warriors coach and international soccer player); Isak Kahatjipara (boxing trainer and sports organiser); Hannes von Holtz (pioneer of racial integration in athletics and former president of the Namibian Athletics Union); Leonard Martin (country head and chief instructor of Goju-Kai karate); and Callie Schäfer (former sports commissioner instrumental in drafting the Sports Act).
: – Albertus Thaniseb (boxing trainer).
: – Kids on Bikes, which takes cycling development to all regions.
: – Limba Mupetami (Namibian Sun).
: – Patrick Esterhuizen (professional boxing).
: – Tobias Nashilongo (boxing trainer).
: – Namibia’;s senior rugby team.
: – Alfredo Benardo.
: – Beata Hausiku.
: – Lance Potgieter (gymnastics).
: – Carane van Zyl (gymnastics).
: – Ananias Shikongo.
: – Lahja Ishitile, Sylvia Shivolo and Johanna Benson.
: – Jonas Junias Jonas (amateur boxing).
: – Helalia Johannes (athletics).
: – Quinn Reddig (archery).
: – Likius Nande (golf).
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