Deon Hotto Kavendjii from Omaruru is living the dream. The 26-year-old football star’s name is apt for his current standing in the game.
He is hot property and recently joined the likes of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and French 2018 Fifa World Cup gold medallist Paul Pogba as a football ambassador for one of the largest sportswear brands in the world, Adidas.
In his prime and in demand, Hotto shows no signs of letting up on his scorching start to life at new club Bidvest Wits in South Africa. Two goals and three assists in five matches led to Adidas South Africa offering the skilful attacking midfielder a two-year endorsement deal, a first for a Namibian footballer.
The renowned sport brand was particularly impressed by his man of the match performance against Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs last month when he scored a goal in a resounding 3-0 win.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hotto will serve as the face of Adidas in Namibia, while receiving Adidas merchandise, apparel and footwear on a monthly basis.
“This will definitely help with my budget. I don’t have to buy track pants and tekkies (sneakers) any more. I can save that money for something else for the next two years,” he said when speaking to The Weekender on how the sponsorship came about.
“It’s not something every player gets. It’s about hard work. They see what I do on the pitch, so they wanted to get me on board to represent their brand. I just need to keep on pushing, scoring goals and keep my performances up,” he added in his usual modest demeanour.
Hotto said he was taken aback when Adidas rang him up. “I got a call from Adidas South Africa inviting me to their office where they offered me the deal and asked me if I was willing to align myself with them and I said absolutely.”
“I had to take the deal. I’ve been buying my own boots since moving to South Africa in 2014. It was something good when Adidas came to me and since my favourite player Messi uses the same brand, it’s even better,” he continued.
“I am going to be sponsored with Adidas gear from head to toe. From soccer boots, training stuff like tracksuits and caps.”
The endorsement deal and playing professional football are the realisation of a childhood dream made possible by unwavering determination and discipline, added Hotto.
The confident footballer said he had no doubts he’d scale such heights since his humble beginnings at the SFC Academy at Swakopmund at the turn of the century.
“When I moved to Windhoek and signed with African Stars, I knew the sky was the limit. God does not sleep, when you work hard, He will open up doors for you,” said Hotto of his journey.
His publicist Carlos Gurirab said this new endorsement illustrated Hotto’s hard work – on and off the pitch. “This kind of endorsement is the first of its kind for Hotto and it demonstrates to his fans that hard work and being humble brings good things,” said Gurirab.
Life is good on the home front, too. The father of a bouncing one-year-old boy recently got engaged to his high school sweetheart.
His social life is just as modest as the man. Despite his status and being based in a country where celebrities are known for living the flashy lifestyle, Hotto shuns the limelight when off the pitch and prefers playing PlayStation with his friends, swimming or spending quality time with his son and fiancée.
“I like being indoors because I like my own space. I do not have an outgoing personality,” said the youngest of eight siblings.
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