THE 2005 Sports Awards to reward top-performing Namibian athletes were launched in the capital yesterday, with cellphone operator MTC going in as the main sponsor for the first time.
It is not yet known how much MTC will be pumping into the event, but sources indicated that it would be close to N$200 000. Namibia Breweries Limited had been the main sponsor for the past ten years.NBL will remain the co-sponsor for this year’s awards, which will be held on October 28 at the Windhoek Country Club.In a speech read on his behalf by Director of Sport Vetumbuavi Veii, the deputy minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Pohamba Shifeta, thanked NBL for its sponsorship over the last decade.He said by sponsoring the awards, NBL had inspired some of Namibia’s greatest athletes.Shifeta added that MTC had become the Government’s main corporate partner in the development of sport.”Their commitment, dedication and unselfishness have brought a new paradigm shift within the circles of sport,” he said.This year, the awards have a new category for the Best Disabled Athlete.Other categories include Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year and the Most Improved Sportsperson.There will also be categories for Sports Team of the Year, Coach/Trainer of the Year, Umpire/Referee of the Year and Development Programme of the Year.There will also be meritorious awards as approved by the Namibia Sport Commission’s Executive Committee, as well as from sponsors.Retired Namibian sprinter Frank Fredericks has been the most successful recipient of the awards over the years.He once again took the honour of Sportsman of the Year last year.With his retirement, Fredericks has now paved the way for other athletes to start vying for the title.Organisers will have a tough task to select the best performers this year, however, as Namibian athletes and teams have performed below par on the international arena.The only notable performances came from boxers and junior cricket and rugby teams.Bigger codes such as football, athletics and hockey have all been found wanting this year, with no remarkable achievements from their side.Most of the bigger codes have been entangled in boardroom battles, while some simply failed to run their affairs effectively.Among the individual performers, top athlete Agnes Samaria has been plagued by an Achilles tendon injury, which made it difficult for her to perform at her best at the World Championships this year.Younger athletes who have come through the ranks over the past few years, especially on the track, have not yet hit the limelight, while some suffered as a result of poor administration and were denied an opportunity to shine internationally.Organisers will also find it tricky to give awards to the best coach, administrator and referee for the year.At least the organisers will be assisted by the public, who can vote through the media or by sending text messages via MTC.No professional athletes are considered for any awards, except for meritorious awards, which can also be awarded to non-Namibians.Namibia Breweries Limited had been the main sponsor for the past ten years.NBL will remain the co-sponsor for this year’s awards, which will be held on October 28 at the Windhoek Country Club.In a speech read on his behalf by Director of Sport Vetumbuavi Veii, the deputy minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Pohamba Shifeta, thanked NBL for its sponsorship over the last decade.He said by sponsoring the awards, NBL had inspired some of Namibia’s greatest athletes.Shifeta added that MTC had become the Government’s main corporate partner in the development of sport.”Their commitment, dedication and unselfishness have brought a new paradigm shift within the circles of sport,” he said.This year, the awards have a new category for the Best Disabled Athlete.Other categories include Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year and the Most Improved Sportsperson.There will also be categories for Sports Team of the Year, Coach/Trainer of the Year, Umpire/Referee of the Year and Development Programme of the Year.There will also be meritorious awards as approved by the Namibia Sport Commission’s Executive Committee, as well as from sponsors.Retired Namibian sprinter Frank Fredericks has been the most successful recipient of the awards over the years.He once again took the honour of Sportsman of the Year last year.With his retirement, Fredericks has now paved the way for other athletes to start vying for the title.Organisers will have a tough task to select the best performers this year, however, as Namibian athletes and teams have performed below par on the international arena.The only notable performances came from boxers and junior cricket and rugby teams.Bigger codes such as football, athletics and hockey have all been found wanting this year, with no remarkable achievements from their side.Most of the bigger codes have been entangled in boardroom battles, while some simply failed to run their affairs effectively.Among the individual performers, top athlete Agnes Samaria has been plagued by an Achilles tendon injury, which made it difficult for her to perform at her best at the World Championships this year.Younger athletes who have come through the ranks over the past few years, especially on the track, have not yet hit the limelight, while some suffered as a result of poor administration and were denied an opportunity to shine internationally.Organisers will also find it tricky to give awards to the best coach, administrator and referee for the year. At least the organisers will be assisted by the public, who can vote through the media or by sending text messages via MTC.No professional athletes are considered for any awards, except for meritorious awards, which can also be awarded to non-Namibians.
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