SPORTS minister Erastus Uutoni on Monday got his first major project off the ground with the appointment of an 18-member preparatory committee for next year’s inaugural Namibia annual sports expo.
Uutoni, a self-proclaimed proponent of action over political rhetoric, instructed the committee to get the ball rolling as soon as possible to ensure the event’s success.
The ambitious minister’s plan to shine the spotlight on sports received a major boost earlier this month when Cabinet approved the hosting of the first annual sports expo in September 2019.
“We discuss things, nice ideas; spend money to get opinions and input from experts but they are not implemented,” Uutoni told reporters.
“We cannot just talk. We have to walk the talk. We need to work on this now, not after three years. That’s not my approach.
“Put it into action. The time has come to expose sport everywhere in this country and beyond our borders. Do your work,” he instructed.
Namibia Sport Commission chief administrator Simataa Freddy Mwiya chairs the preparatory committee which also includes FNB Namibia chief marketing officer Tracy Eagles, Nam-Mic CEO Walter Don, sport consultant Reginald Hinda, trade fairs and expos expert Annalisa Jeremia, John Kangowa from the sports commission and athlete’s representative Gaby Ahrens.
Other members, who all volunteered, are Tangeni Kambangula (Nampower corporate communications and marketing manager), Ndeulipulwa Hamutumwa (sport tourism consultant), Jessica Jacobs (sport commission event’s manager), Gordon Pokolo (FNB Namibia sponsorship manager), Letu Hamhola (sport officer), Llewellyn Koopman (sport personality), Nico Mwiya (NBC business development and research officer), and Armas Shivute (consultant).
Additionally, NBC TV sports desk producer Sackey Shikufa, Manuel Carballo sport personality and the sport minister’s personal assistant Asser Haradoeb are co-opted members.
The committee has to source its own funds which in turn will spawn the budget required for its operations, as per concept document, Uutoni said.
“There’s no start-up capital as we speak. But we can make money,” the minister said.
“The money is there. Go and get it. Apply your minds. You have gone to institutions of higher learning. Use that knowledge. I’m confident that you can make it.”
The expo’s primary objective is to market the country’s resource-starved sport industry to the public, especially the youth, and business community which will in turn increase interest and investment, Uutoni said.
“It’s about sport development; it’s about youth development through sport; it’s about job creation; and it’s about income generation,” Uutoni explained.
“I have observed that sport is our strength. Namibians are good in sports. It is only that perhaps us in leadership are neglecting it.
“We have to do away with this dependency syndrome. Yes, the government can assist us, but let us also assist the government and come up with our own ideas.
“Where there are challenges, let us face them and push them back. Together,” Uutoni said.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
