Windhoek
MTC has once again reaffirmed its commitment towards the development of Namibian boxing with a whopping sponsorship of N$10.37 million to the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing & Fitness Academy.
The sponsorship, which was officially announced live on NBC TV on Thursday evening, will run for the next three years, meaning the Academy will receive around N$3,325 million per year.
“We’re happy to announce the renewal of our partnership with the MTC Nestor Sunshine Academy. We will go into another three-year sponsorship agreement. We’ve decided to renew our partnership, because the Academy took good care of our brand and have always been great MTC ambassadors,” said Ekandjo.
“They have produced world class results and we admire their professional attitude. That’s why their boxing events attract the best crowds, compared to any other sports code. I, however, wish to emphasise that MTC is owned by the government of Namibia and when we get involved in sports, we’re helping our government in areas, which they cannot prioritise due to other pressing and competing priorities.
“This sponsorship is not for an individual, but for a boxing academy that has a professional set up, board of directors, permanent staff and over 100 boxers that make a living out of boxing,” Ekandjo concluded.
On his part, award-winning promoter Nestor Tobias took a brief trip down memory lane, narrating how the Academy has grown from strength to strength over the years since its formation in 2000.
“Our first sponsorship was only N$1000. That shows you that we’ve come a long way. We’ve produced two world champions, who brought home three world titles. We have over 25 African champions and it’s all thanks to MTC’s unwavering financial support.
“We are blessed with remarkable boxing talent in Namibia with the likes of Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala, Bethuel Tyson Uushona, Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro, who all held both African and International titles and fought the best in the world,” Tobias noted.
He was optimistic about the future of boxing and mentioned various prospects that are coming through the ranks, including Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, Nathanael ‘Sir’ Kamati, Walter ‘The Executioner’ Kautondokwa, Nathaniel Kakololo, Jeremiah Nakathila, Paulinus Paulus, Jonas Mathias, Mendu Kaangundue and many others.
“Ever since we partnered with MTC, we have graduated to another boxing level. MTC is not just a sponsor, but a genuine partner, who takes a keen interest in the sport of boxing and from them we have learned how to be more professional in various aspects.
“It is, therefore, not surprising that we achieved so much with them over the last three years. More than 11 of our boxers are rated in the Top 10 in the world, 15 African champions and four international champions. We would like to say ‘thank you’ to the loyal boxing fans, who keep supporting and pushing us to greater heights,” Tobias said.