Maurice Kambukwe
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) and the MTC Dome yesterday entered into an agreement that will see the annual Namibia Sports Expo being held at the facility in Swakopmund from 8 to 11 December.
The expo was inaugurated in 2019 and was held at the Independence stadium. In 2020, it could not be hosted due to regulations in place at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, while last year, the expo was held virtually.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement between the two entities yesterday, MTC Dome CEO Fanus Engelbrecht said they are delighted to be part of the initiative, saying it will help the ministry with the burden of organising and hosting the event.
He added it is part of their drive to develop sports in the country. “It is a very exciting time for us to collaborate with the ministry to be the official sponsors of the much-anticipated sports expo with the drive that we have of promoting and developing athletes and sports at large. This pushed us to join the partnership,” he said.
“We have the facility, and it’s a very important moment for us, Namibians, in sport – and we thought if we could chip in and help, it would ease the burden on the government. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this memorandum of understanding,” he said.
Meanwhile, NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said this year’s event will attract more international exhibitors, while more than five international athletes will be in attendance.
“This year will be different and unique, as we are expecting more international exhibitors. In our previous event, we had two to three exhibitors from abroad. However, this year, the event will attract more than 21 international exhibitors and also international athletes, who will come and motivate our local athletes,” he said.
Mwiya added the cost implications on the sports commission will be less than what they had spent in the first two events. “The Dome has a lot of partners whom they will also bring on board, which will ease the burden on the government,” he noted.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na