The title sponsor of the Namibia Sports Awards, MTC, says local athletes are not getting due recognition despite the trying circumstances they endure while representing the country abroad. MTC's corporate communications officer, John Ekongo, yesterday blasted local companies for not doing enough when it comes to uplifting the local game.
"Sadly, the picture is not always rosy to say the least. Namibia is perhaps the only country in the sub-region with a dismal record of remunerating and compensating their heroes and heroines," he remarked during the launch of the MTC Namibia Sports Awards in Windhoek.
"It is incredibly shameless to see athletes and sport people being rewarded with minimal amounts comparable to starvation wages... Almost every sport in Namibia is played on an amateur level - whereas our peers in the sub-region have migrated to semi-professional and fully fledged professional level."
MTC has donated N$400 000 towards the hosting of this year's sports awards, which will take place in Windhoek on October 25. Ekongo added that corporate Namibia should and must take the lead when it comes to ploughing back in sport.
"We can decide ... we want to show and pay respect to our sporting heroes by recognising them better or we altogether bury our heads in shame and pull up our socks to support our heroes far better," he said.
Local athletes will be rewarded for their exploits during the past year on the night and the Namibia Sport Commission's chairperson, Vivienne Katjiuongua, has promised a memorable night. "The commission has decided to raise the prize money as a token of appreciation of our athletes' performance and dedication and also taking into account that this is the only platform where our athletes are recognised and awarded by the nation.
"The increment in the prize money is directed towards assisting athletes with preparation for future sporting events and to motivate them by adding monetary value to their achievements," she said. Athletes from various sporting bodies recognised by the sport commission as well umpires and administrators will be rewarded during the awards ceremony next month. The co-sponsors of the event are Coca-Cola, Distell Namibia and the NBC.
WINDHOEK SPORT REPORTER