MTC and The Dome connect

MTC today announced it had partnered with The Dome to enhance the high-performance centre at Swakopmund.

The centre is primarily meant to provide intense high level training for the nation’s athletes to better prepare them for competition.

Athletes no longer need to go abroad to prepare for competitions, and the centre will be a regional hub that is accessible to international athletes and teams as well.

This move reduces costs while supporting the local economy, said Fanus Engelbrecht, The MTC Dome High Performance Centre’s chief executive officer.

The facility is a landmark establishment, given its well documented output and immense potential, he said.

“It is important to have strategy to invest in sport and put the nation on the map.

“Namibia has won five medals at the Olympics, all silver. It is not good enough with the talent we have. We are failing the talent in Namibia.

“If we don’t do what the rest of the world is doing, then in the next eight to 10 years, our athletes cannot compete with their peers,” said Engelbrecht.

“It is a joyous occasion”, said MTC spokesperson Tim Ekandjo.

“It’s not only about sport, it’s about nation building.”

The partnership is a game changer for the country’s ailing sport fraternity, Ekandjo said.

“We need to build a culture of building infrastructure and building capacity.

“Partnering with The Dome to make it an even better centre. We don’t take that role lightly,” said Ekandjo.

“You cannot start training today and expect medals tomorrow already.

“It does not work that way. You invest and strategise so you can stand a better chance to get that medal.”