Lüderitz
This year’s 9th edition of the annual Lüderitz Speed Challenge has managed to attract more than 13 riders from various countries, all in search of the top honours at the challenge which got underway in Lüderitz on Monday.
According to event coordinator, Sophie Routaboul, the world’s best in wind and kite surfers from as far as Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Croatia, Fiji, Sweden, Switzerland and Italy all made their way to Namibia hoping to tumble and set new records. The event ends on November.
Routaboul also indicated that to date, the Lüderitz Speed Challenge has produced an unbelievable 12 world and 75 national windsurfing and kite-surfing speed records, something that has brought a new dimension to the competition.
During the official opening ceremony at the Lüderitz Nest Hotel, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism Tommy Nambahu, in his statement read on his behalf by Acting Chief Warden of //Karas Park, Wayne Handley, stressed that sport is a powerful tool to spread peace and to change the world as it unifies nations in ways that little else can.
Sport is one of those elements in human society that creates a common denominator in a world of ever increasing diversity, he added.
Nambahu indicated that sport is also a big business, not only the lucrative deals made by the world’s top players and their managers, but also because of the millions of sports fans who travel across borders to watch their favourite players and teams.
“Every visitor to our country whether for purposes of adventure, business, conference or sport is a tourist in our definition and we should ensure that every tourist visiting Namibia is given the best experience possible because they are significant contributors to our GDP and economic transformation,” said Nambahu.
Nambahu congratulated the Lüderitz Town Council for this historical achievement and for their perfect hosting. He also congratulated Sebastian Cattelan for his sportsmanship and vision that goes beyond himself by bringing the world to Namibia and Africa.
He wished all the sportsmen and women the best of luck and most importantly, a safe and beautiful stay in Namibia