By William J. Mbangula
OSHAKATI
Old Mutual Namibia has injected N$50 000 into school sports as part of its commitment to the holistic development of the youth.
The insurance company’s national sales manager, Risto Hasheela, said this at the launch of a competition on Tuesday, at the Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School in Ongwediva.
He said Old Mutual does not only want to focus on the development of the mind with regard to the learners, but also to help advance their physical wellbeing which will contribute to their overall health.
Said Hasheela: “We play an active role in the development of the communities and strive to make a difference in the lives of our employees, our clients and community at large.
The championships are extremely successful, judging by the feedback received from regional sports organizers and teachers.”
The inspector of Education, Eddie Bezuidenhout, thanked Old Mutual for the initiative to help develop one of the key areas of performance for learners.
He lauded the public/private partnership which has resulted in the cooperation and sponsorship of sports activities.
Bezuidenhout expressed the hope that the sponsorship would last for a long time and should not be used as a gimmick to conquer other sponsors of sports events.
He also cautioned against corruption and cheating for the sake of getting undeserved prizes. Quoting the old saying: “A healthy body creates a healthy mind”, he reminded the audience about the HIV/AIDS awareness week (June 18 to 22) whereby all the people should be sensitized to the need of protecting themselves against the pandemic, as well as educating others about it.
The chief sports officer in Oshana Region, Sunday Haitembu, who also attended the event, confirmed to New Era that the soccer and netball finals will take place on September 22. So far, 263 schools from Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto have registered for participation.
Launched for the first time in 2004, the tournament is said to have made a difference in the lives of the concerned communities. In 2004, the first prizes were won by Nehale Secondary School (soccer) and Udjombala Primary school (netball); in 2005 Eengendjo Secondary School took first prize for netball while soccer went to Mweshipandeka Secondary School. Last year, the David Sheehama Secondary School at Outapi took first soccer prize while Ongha Secondary School took first prize for netball.
Apart from cash prizes given to the winning teams, successful teams were also rewarded with a photocopier and fax machines, computers, sports gear and equipment.