By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK
The National Football Team, “the Brave Warriors”, as it is fondly known amongst its ardent supporters, received a morale boosting shot in the arm when MTC Namibia reaffirmed its commitment towards uplifting football in the country.
Mobile Telecommunications Company left their colleagues in the corporate world with egg on the face at a special function in Windhoek yesterday, when it announced a historic sponsorship of N$2,5 million for Namibia’s participation at the 26th Biennial MTN African Cup of Nations’ finals.
The company reacted swiftly to a formal request by recently elected Swapo Vice-President Dr Hage Geingob, who is also the Patron of the Namibian Football Association to assist the financially crippled Brave Warriors with their preparation for the finals, which start in Ghana next month.
MTC General-Manager of Corporate Affairs, Albertus Aochamub, better known as Pabso in social circles, once again emphasised his company’s commitment towards the development of the game.
He said the announcement of the sponsorship marked the culmination of months of work behind the scenes to ensure that the Warriors are well equipped and prepared when the team make their appearance at the 2008 continental showpiece, for only the second time.
“We are a nation in dire need of sporting heroes and heroines and the nation is in need of winners.
“A nation that wants to be defined as a winning nation at home and abroad needs to have winning men and women representing us in all walks of life.
“There is no more space for mediocrity and below par performance in our vocabulary and the time is ripe now to pull up our socks and bring the medals home,” said Pabso to loud applause from the appreciative members of the Football Association.
The MTC official added that they do not want to simply celebrate mere participation but would like to see progression through the group stages, and probably medals, with the coveted trophy the ultimate destination.
Dr Viskaya Amutenya, the Vice-President of the Namibian Football Association could not hide his joy and said Namibia’s rapid progress in international competitions has made Namibian football brand more valuable.
“Our performance in the qualifying stages for the AFCON finals and recent results from our Brave Gladiators and Under-20 teams is clear testimony to this,” added the medical practitioner.
The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, Pohamba Shifeta, said the Warriors had done Namibia proud and urged the nation to embrace Namibia’s presence in the West African country, come next January.
Shifeta also urged the players to remain focused and hoist the country’s flag with some measure of pride and responsibility.
The mastermind behind the sponsorship, Dr Hage Geingob applauded MTC for their generous sponsorship and urged other corporate businesses to follow suit.
“We should not allow ourselves to be caught with our pants down, and must start building a team for the future now if we are to remain on par with the best football playing nations globally. Building a formidable team for the future is a long process and its only now that support is coming in,” Geingob said.
The Acting Secretary- General of the NFA Barry Rukoro thanked MTC for their unwavering support and also extended a vote of thanks to the Government – in particular Dr Geingob – for supporting the national team through thick and thin over the years.
Furthermore, Rukoro called upon all the stakeholders and notably the local media to rally behind the Warriors and push in the same direction.
The N$2,5-million sponsorship is divided as follows:
N$1 million in cash, with half a million going towards the purchasing of the team’s kit and replica jerseys, while an amount of N$40 000 has been set aside for the team’s official blazers.
N$100 000 bonus for the team should they reach the knockout stage in Ghana.
The Brave Warriors Supporters Club’s travelling entourage are significant beneficiaries of a handsome N$20 000 in cash for the purchase of 200 replica jerseys.
The NFA Consortium of Sponsors MTC, First National Bank of Namibia and Namibia Breweries Limited have teamed up and resolved to set aside N$220 000 for three lucky winners and their partners for an all expenses paid trip to Ghana with each couple to receive N$55 000 in cash. N$580 000 goes to the promotional budget’s kitty.