By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK The Namibian Commonwealth team received a massive boost yesterday when Namibia’s only cellular company Mobile Telecommunications donated N$200 000 to the team. The cheque of N$200 000 was handed over yesterday at the Namibia Sports Commission offices by the Managing Director of MTC, Brengt Strenge, to the General Manager of the Commonwealth team, Alna Similo. Handing over the cheque Strenge noted that his company is well known for being a big supporter of sport. “We are supporting sport so much, that we are starting to receive complaints why we do not support other things such as culture or the Mariental flood victims.” He said that sport is very close to the heart of the MTC as most of their customers are sport lovers. He however noted that at a management meeting yesterday morning the company discussed the possibility of assisting the Mariental flood victims. Commenting on the upcoming Friendly Games in Melbourne, Australia, the Managing Director said he is optimistic that the athletes would make Namibia proud. ” I am confident that the money will be well spent at the games.” Receiving the cheque Similo, who is also a commissioner of the Namibia Sports Commission, thanked MTC for the generous sponsorship. ” I am not surprised that MTC has pumped in such a huge amount in the team going to Melbourne because they have been big supporters of sport.” She added that she was delighted with the donation and vowed that every penny would be accounted for. “All the monies which are being used for this exercise are being channelled to NSC to ensure that everything is accounted for.” A delegation of forty-five athletes, fifteen officials and four VIP members will head to Australia. The VIP’s are the Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture John Mutorwa, Director of Sport Vetumbauavi Veii, Agnes Tjongarero and Eliphas Shipanga. Similo added that the team paid a courtesy visit to President Hifikepunye Pohamba who urged the Namibian athletes to the 2006 Commonwealth Games to do their utmost best during the competition set for Melbourne, Australia from 15 to 26 March. In his sending-off message to the athletes at State House Monday, Pohamba said that he also expects all members of the Namibian team to display exemplary behaviour. Said Pohamba: “Like-wise, we expect officials and administrators to ensure that our athletes are provided with the support and amenities that they require in order to perform without anxieties and worries.” “Our athletes should be well served so that they concentrate on the task at hand, namely to compete and win,” said Pohamba. He added that he would be watching the games with keen interest and that he and the whole of Namibia would be behind the team.
2006-03-022024-04-23By Staff Reporter