The Otjihavera Experience Mountain Biking competition, which is organised annually by the Rock and Rut Mountain Biking Club, has and continues to play a vital role in the overall growth of the sport and provides much-needed exposure to local and international riders.

There will be 80km, 60km events for adults and 40 and 20km for children.

FNB Namibia’s sponsorship and promotion manager Gordon Pokolo made these remarks during yesterday’s launch of this year’s edition of the Otjihavera Experience Mountain Biking competition, which the bank sponsored to the tune of N$150 000. 

This year’s event, which will mark the 17th edition of the competition, is scheduled to take place on 3 September and will see riders winding it out through various farms on the outskirts of Windhoek.

Pokolo said since the bank got on board as the title sponsor some six years ago, the competition has grown in stature and more young and experienced bikers now have an opportunity to further compete at the highest level. 

“I am happy with the way the event has grown over the past few years. We have seen an enormous improvement since FNB joined the partnership. The number of participants has grown and that shows that the event has now become one of the biggest in the country,” said Pokolo, who urged riders to enter in large numbers so that they make the event a memorable one. 

“We are hoping to see an increase in the number of participants this year and by looking at how the event has attracted participants in the previous year, we are sure more will join the competition this year in all age groups.”

Entries are open and so far, a great number of people have been flocking to register for this much-anticipated event, the organisers shared yesterday. - mkambukwe@nepc.com.na