Uutoni loses by TKO

February 12, 2017, 1:12 am

≫ Next: Benjamin open to advise warriors

Namibian boxer Japhet “The Lion” Uutoni lost to Angel Acosta of Puerto Rico on Saturday after a fearless display in the ring in a junior flyweight world title eliminator fight.
Uutoni put up a brave performance against the Puerto Rican in a packed arena filled with thousands of cheering supporters on Saturday.

The referee stopped the fight in the tenth round after Acosta caught the Namibian with several punches.
“It was certainly a tough fight, I think Acosta won fairly and I respect him for that.
“I should have done better and should have stuck to the game plan but I wanted to finish him off and that is where I went wrong.
“I gave it my all and did my best and wish to thank Nestor and my team for the world class opportunity” Uutoni said.

Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias explained that a final world title eliminator is when two top-rated fighters are given an opportunity to fight each other, and the winner will become the mandatory challenger to fight the current world champion.
This meant that the Puerto Rican will now challenge for the featherweight world title, while the Namibian will have to bounce back from a disappointing defeat.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Benjamin open to advise warriors

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: 'Four top banks take everything'

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Benjamin open to advise warriorsFormer midfielder praises Mannetti Namibian football legend Collin Benjamin has offered support to the national team.

Former Namibia senior football national team midfielder Collin Benjamin has revealed that he will not reject NFA if they ever approach him for his coaching expertise.

The player however made it clear that he does not want the head coaching job which is currently held by his former teammate Ricardo Mannetti.

He instead showered Mannetti with praises, stating that he has done a good job with the national team.

The former 1860 München assistant coach who also launched his own league this year said he remains fond of the nation he once played for.

Speaking in an exclusive interview Benjamin said: “I am a Namibian and there is absolutely no reason why I would not love to offer my coaching expertise to the national team.

“I am a qualified coach and that is why I would offer my coaching services to the national team whenever I am tasked to do so.

“At the moment, I do believe that Ricardo Mannetti is doing a fantastic job with the national team and one would just urge him to keep it up,” Benjamin said.

“People must not misinterpret me here to think that I want Mannetti's job. I am just open to give my advice where it is needed,” he added.

The former player however said his immediate plans will be to focus on developing football at grassroots levels.

He feels that the development side of football has not been well attended to and that is one of the reasons why he came up with the initiative of a league.

Benjamin assured the nation that he will not rest until he sees Namibian football reach the levels of other nations in and outside the continent.

“It is important that I devote my focus on development now in view of the fact that young players will need to be active.

“There are so many services I can offer and I am going to do that as a Namibian unless the president confiscates my passport,” Benjamin quipped.

The 38-year-old played for German Bundesliga sides Hamburg and TSV 1860 München, where he became one of the few Namibians to play in the UEFA Champions League.

Benjamin earned 32 international caps and captained the Brave Warriors for several years, representing the team at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Benjamin hung up his boots at TSV 1860 München at the end of the 2011/12 season, before returning in 2013 to join the club's youth academy coaching internship programme.

During the 2013/14 season, Benjamin took charge of the club's under-13 team and was promoted to be one of the TSV 1860 München assistant coaches during the 2014/15 season.

The player however returned to Namibia with the aim of improving the game of football in his mother country.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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'Four top banks take everything'

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Nigeria seeks US$1bn from World Bank

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'Four top banks take everything'Zuma says the time has come for fair economics Following the chaos at South African president Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address, he lashed out at the banks in the country saying they control 'everything'.

President Jacob Zuma on Friday blamed South Africa's top four banks for controlling the economy, hours after his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in parliament.

“If you have got four banks - major ones - and they take everything; they don't want you to do anything,” he said on SABC's Morning Live, which is sponsored by Gupta-owned newspaper, The New Age.

Zuma said banks often treated poor black people unfairly due to their lack of collateral. “The time has come: We should be able to deal with the economy at a fair level,” he said.

The top four banks are Absa, Standard Bank, FNB and Nedbank.

“We actually frustrate our economy deliberately by making only a few people control the economy,” he said.

“I am told by those who do business that at times they even take your ideas and implement them because they have got the money.

“At the heart of the economy is finance,” he said. “If the… critical banks that dominate everything are just four… in all countries where the economy is developed, the banks are all over because it is the finances that make the economy grow.

“We want to change this,” he said. “If you have four banks, let us have more banks. Let us share that. Let us unpack the economy and give opportunities to everyone.

“There's a skewed kind of economic control,” he said. “We say that we must be part of owning, managing and be part of controlling the economy.

“You can't have somebody who is super rich and have somebody who is super hungry in one country,” he said.

“As a government, we have a responsibility if we are to have the harmony, if we are to have the reconciliation. We should close the gap, not create a situation where others are going to be poor or that we change this.”

The vision for a much stronger state-controlled South African economy took centre stage in Zuma's 2017 SONA.

The most controversial plan was perhaps Zuma's mention of new draft legislation that will target the highly concentrated areas of the economy.

Although Zuma didn't go into detail, it can be assumed he meant South Africa's financial services sector, which will soon be the subject of a round of public hearings in parliament where a number of stakeholders will provide input on how they see the sector being transformed.

The proposed legislation, which Zuma said would help “de-concentrate” certain sectors, will be drafted by the department of economic development and will soon make its way to Cabinet and parliament for deliberation.

A recommendation in September 2016 by Zuma's inter-ministerial committee that looked into the top four banks' decision to blacklist Gupta-owned companies was released erroneously as a done deal by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane last year. While Zuma rebuked Zwane for the release of the recommendation (saying it was not sanctioned), the banking sector was able to see what might be coming their way.

Zwane said a judicial inquiry should look into the establishment of a state bank of South Africa with the possible corporatisation of the Postbank being considered as an option.

“Evidence presented to the IMC (inter-ministerial committee) suggested that all of South Africa's economic power vests in the hands of very specific institutions, institutions who have shown that their ability to act unilaterally is within their mandate and is protected,” said Zwane. “These institutions are owned by private shareholders and report to national treasury who in turn do not need to act on information provided to it.”

Fin24 reported on 31 January 31 2017 that the South African Post Office (Sapo) is expected to submit an application to have its financial services unit registered as a bank by mid-2017.

Sapo will submit an application to register Postbank as a bank by 3 July, a document handed out in parliament showed in

January.

Sapo CEO Mark Barnes said the post office has R2.7 billionn in capital, and retained earnings at the end of December 2016 sufficient to meet the regulatory requirements.

In July last year, the South African Reserve Bank approved Sapo's first-level application for a banking licence for Postbank.

FIN24

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Nigeria seeks US$1bn from World Bank

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Kalimbeza yields increase by 10%

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Nigeria seeks US$1bn from World BankPlans to present economic plans this month Nigeria wants to borrow at least $1 billion from the World Bank to help haul it out of recession and plans to present the required economic reform proposals to the lender this month, officials and diplomats told Reuters.

Nigeria, Africa's oil producer has been hit hard by a sharp fall in crude prices since 2014, and has been in talks with the Washington-based lender for a year to secure a loan to help plug a yawning budget deficit and fund badly needed infrastructure projects.

But the government has not specified how much money it was looking to borrow from the World Bank, saying only that it aimed to raise US$5 billion abroad. It was previously also unclear when Nigeria planned to present its proposed reforms to the lender - which will not consider a loan before it reviews the plans to make the economy more resilient and attractive to investment.

The government now plans to present its economic reform proposals by the end of February, according to government officials and Western diplomats who declined to be named as they are not authorised to speak publicly.

One senior government official said Nigeria would seek a loan of US$1 billion from the World Bank, while a second senior official said it could seek as much as US$2 billion.

The Nigerian finance ministry declined to comment on the size of the loan being sought or the timing of the submission of the reform proposals.

The World Bank also declined to comment on those matters. A spokeswoman said Nigeria's economic proposals would be the “basis of which the World Bank will determine with the government the most appropriate lending instrument to support the implementation of the reform plan”.

It was unclear what the government's economic reform programme would contain.

Nigeria, which relies on oil revenue for most of its income, is struggling to drag itself out of its first recession in 25 years. It needs money to help plug a budget deficit of 2.2 trillion naira (US$7 billion) for 2016 and help fund a record budget of 7.3 trillion naira for 2017 aimed at stimulating the economy.

It had planned to apply for a World Bank loan last year but the process had ground to a halt because it failed to submit its economic recovery plans by the end of December as initially promised, sources told Reuters last month.

The African Development Bank (AfDB), meanwhile, is holding back the second, US$400 million, tranche of a US$1 billion loan because it is also awaiting the reform plans.

Nigeria will present its economic proposals to the AfDB at the same time as the World Bank, according to the government officials.

A spokeswoman for the Abidjan-based AfDB declined to comment.

It is unclear why the government has not previously submitted its reform plans to the two international lenders. A funding deadlock could throw into doubt badly needed projects planned for this year, including new roads and improvements to power infrastructure.

The government is selling US$1 billion of Eurobonds this week but this falls short of the US$5 billion Nigeria said a year ago it wanted to borrow abroad including the World Bank.

Nigeria's government has butted heads with investors over the best course for the economy.

A reluctance by Nigerian authorities to apply a more flexible foreign exchange rate policy and other macroeconomic reforms to stimulate foreign investment has hampered talks to secure loans abroad.

The AfDB has criticised Nigeria's central bank's decision to curb access to hard currency, which has forced the closures of manufacturing plants unable to import raw materials.

The World Bank says it supports “critical reforms for restoring macroeconomic resilience”. Western diplomats say the bank wants to see how Nigeria plans to lower its dependence on oil revenues and boost investment, which has been hit by a high official exchange rate for the naira currency.

Nigeria's central bank, backed by President Muhammadu Buhari, has kept the naira rate to the dollar at 40 percent above the unofficial - or parallel - market rate, which has dried up dollar supplies on official channels.

The policy has also made investors reluctant to commit new projects as they expect the central bank will have to devalue the naira eventually.

NAMPA/REUTERS

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Kalimbeza yields increase by 10%

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: PPP Bill public outcomes tabled Thursday

≪ Previous: Nigeria seeks US$1bn from World Bank

Kalimbeza yields increase by 10%New varieties under trial with Chinese assistance The Namibian rice project at Kalimbeza is progressing exceptionally well with successful trials launched along with increased harvests.

Through an agreement between China and Namibia, yields at the Kalimbeza National Rice Project have increased with more than 10%, while 15 new Chinese rice varieties and one foxtail millet variety are under trial to determine their adaptability in Namibia.

These are just a few of the successes that were achieved after a group of 15 Chinese experts concluded a two-year programme in Namibia.

The 15 agriculture experts were part of the Tripartite Agreement on South to South Cooperation (SSC) entered into between Namibia, China and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in June 2014.

Under the agreement, China deployed 15 experts from various agricultural fields, who for the past two years provided technical assistance to Namibia's irrigation projects, veterinary laboratories and research stations.

At the closure of the phase one of the SSC project Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa said that Namibia has already applied for the second phase of the project.

He said that the first phase of the SSC project will officially end at end April and that the final report of the project is in the process of being prepared.

Among the other successes achieved under the project is that foxtail millet was introduced and proven to grow at Omahenene research station, and it was confirmed that an average yield of 2.5 tons per hectare could be produced under irrigation.

Mutorwa said that with regards to the 15 Chinese rice varieties that were successfully introduced and are currently on trial, three varieties will be selected that are best suited for Namibian climatic conditions.

About 400 Namibian farmers and government officials have been trained in rice, foxtail millet and horticulture production.

Various demonstrations on pest management, correct fertiliser application methods and compost making were also conducted.

Furthermore, 30 types of farm machines, instruments and equipment were brought in by the Chinese experts and they introduced technologies and farming skills that have helped farming and land cultivation and standardised practices in animal disease resistance and detection.

Mutorwa said the ministry requested China to consider granting Namibia a second phase of the current project. “This second phase will enable the ministry to cover the areas that require further intervention on the production side of the value chain, as well as those that are not part of the first phase of the current project.”

The FAO representative in Namibia, Babagana Ahmadu said the SSC project in Namibia achieved significant success in terms of complementing government's efforts of increasing agricultural production.

Chinese charge d'affaires ad interim, Li Na also said that this SSC tripartite cooperation sets a new and efficient example for future cooperation.

He also emphasised that a very comfortable environment and sufficient facilities were provided for the Chinese experts.

ELLANIE SMIT

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PPP Bill public outcomes tabled Thursday

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Belachew wins Hong Kong Marathon

≪ Previous: Kalimbeza yields increase by 10%

PPP Bill public outcomes tabled Thursday National Council (NC) members involved in the formation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bill will next Thursday table outcomes of the public hearings held across the country from 23 January to 6 February 2017.

Parliament opens on Tuesday with 40 bills to table, including the PPP Bill.

NC Secretary, Emilia Mkusa told Nampa that after tabling the outcomes of consultations, the council will advise parliament on what to do next.

Mkusa was responding to the view of the secretary-general (SG) of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna), Mahongora Kavihuha who told Nampa the NC must refer back to the national assembly the processes related to the formation of the PPP Bill for it to start afresh.

The PPP Bill was in November 2016 tabled in the national assembly NA before the council took it up on 1 December 2016 for the public hearings.

The Bill is aimed at exploring avenues that will build the mutually beneficiary partnerships for sustainable economic growth between the private sector and government.

Noting the lack of public input and views of unions representing workers, Kavihuha said the NC must also send the Bill back to the finance ministry, where it originates from.

He said it does not make sense to have a law that does not include the views of stakeholders.

“We from the trade unions want workers of these PPP companies to also have shares in the companies they work for, in order to enable them to benefit from the production systems,” he said.

He argued it will be unfair for government to pass a law that will not allow workers of a PPP company that for instance, services town land or build houses, while the workers of that company cannot afford to buy such serviced land and/or houses they have worked on.

NAMPA

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Belachew wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Semenya not thrilled about golden upgrade

≪ Previous: PPP Bill public outcomes tabled Thursday

Belachew wins Hong Kong MarathonEthiopian marathon dominance continues The Hong Kong Marathon produced electric performances by many athletes over the weekend in the thrilling running competition.

Ethiopia's Bizuneh Melaku Belachew danced on the finish line as he smashed his personal best to win the Hong Kong Marathon Sunday in a new course record.

The 27-year-old performed a jig to celebrate with the runner-up, Kenya's Julius Kipyego Keter, who finished just three seconds behind, because “I'm so happy”.

Belachew slashed almost a minute off the course record to cross the line in two hours, 10 minutes and 31 seconds.

“I was not expecting to break the course record but after 33 kilometres I thought it is possible - and I did it,” he said.

Belachew, who paid his own expenses to join the race, now plans to buy a house in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa with his US$65,000 winner's cheque.

Belachew added of his Kenyan rival: “I didn't know him before but he's my friend now. We celebrated together.”

Ethiopia also claimed first place in the women's race, with Gulume Tollesa Chala crossing the line in 2:33:39.

Last year's men's champion, Mike Kiprotich Mutai of Kenya, came sixth and told AFP the recent loss of his mother took the shine off his performance.

“I didn't train for the last two weeks,” he said. “But I didn't want to drop out. I was running for my family.”

The 42 km course was run under blue skies Sunday in contrast to the heavy rain which drenched last year's event.

However, pollution levels in the city were classed as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” with the Air Quality Index at 126.

And the event was marred when a 52-year-old woman collapsed on the finish line after completing the 10 km race. She was in critical condition in hospital, the South China Morning Post reported.

Two men, aged 46 and 23, were also in critical condition, the paper added, while other local media said a total of 11 runners had been taken to hospital.

Among the 74,000 runners pounding the streets was Cantopop star Stephanie Cheng who took on the 10km.

“The crowds were great today-a lot of college students-and the weather was perfect,” she said.

NAMPA / AFP

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Semenya not thrilled about golden upgrade

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Chiefs secure victory against Maritzburg

≪ Previous: Belachew wins Hong Kong Marathon

Semenya not thrilled about golden upgrade Caster Semenya is not excited about the prospect of having her 2012 Olympic and 2011 world championships silver medals upgraded to gold in the wake of Mariya Savinova-Farnosova doping ban, the coach of the South African 800 metres athlete said on Sunday.

Russian Savinova-Farnosova was stripped of her titles on Friday when the Court of Arbitration for Sport imposed a four-year ban saying there was “clear evidence” she used performance-enhancing drugs.

Semenya finished second behind the Russian in both Daegu in 2011 and London 2012 and is now set to become a double Olympic champion after her victory in Rio de Janeiro last year. “I spoke to her and we both agree - it's not the same,” Jean Verster told South African media on Sunday. “We weren't there on the podium and there was no national anthem so it's kind of water under the bridge for us.

“It's not the same feeling as it was in the Rio Olympics last year. It is nice to know they are catching the cheats five years down the line, though, but it's nothing to get excited about for us.”

Semenya, 26, has had to contend with controversy throughout her career.

After winning the 2009 world title as a 19-year-old, tests reportedly revealed that she is hyperandrogenous, resulting in her body producing an abnormally high amount of testosterone, which makes her more powerful than her rivals.

An International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rule limiting the amount of naturally occurring functional testosterone for female athletes appeared to have restricted Semenya's prospects but that rule was then quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Savinova is the latest in a growing list of Russian athletes to have past Olympic medals taken away over doping, as the nation struggles to overcome its most widespread doping scandal.

More than 100 athletes have so far tested positive in re-tests of samples taken during the London and Beijing 2008 Olympics conducted by the International Olympic Committee. Russia has the most positive re-tests per nation

NAMPA / REUTERS

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Chiefs secure victory against Maritzburg

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Injuries ruin victories by Madrid and Barcelona

≪ Previous: Semenya not thrilled about golden upgrade

Chiefs secure victory against MaritzburgThe Amakhosi goes second Willard Katsande and Siphiwe Tshabalala's gaols were enough to give Kaizer Chiefs a hard-fought three points.

Kaizer Chiefs have moved up to second place on the Absa Premiership log after claiming a 2-1 away win over Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday night.

The Amakhosi secured their victory thanks to goals from Willard Katsande and Siphiwe Tshabalala, taking them to 30 points from 17 matches, one point adrift of leaders Cape Town City, who won their derby match against Ajax Cape Town earlier in the evening.

The start of the match was delayed by 30 minutes due to inclement weather, and when it did get underway the players were soon soaked by a cloudburst.

Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, there was no shortage of quality attacking football from both teams, who seemed determined to put on a good show for the capacity crowd in Pietermaritzburg.

Chiefs created the better chances with Joseph Malongoane and Ramahlwe Mphahlele guilty of missing out on clear scoring opportunities, but Maritzburg stretched their opposing goalkeeper to a greater degree.

Itumeleng Khune was forced to make a few notable saves in the first half, the best of which saw him punch away a curling shot from Kwanda Mngonyama which looked destined for the back of the net in the 19th minute.

The first half finished goalless, but it took only five minutes of the second stanza for the deadlock to be broken.

George Maluleka provided a fine delivery from a set piece which found Willard Katsande at the back post the midfielder scored with a stooping header to put the Amakhosi 1-0 up.

Maritzburg fought back to level the game at 1-1 in the 73rd minute. Siphesihle Ndlovu teed up Mohau Mokate, who showed great composure and technique to score past Itumeleng Khune's right hand with a shot which had very little back-lift.

However, Chiefs reclaimed the lead with 10 minutes of regulation time remaining. A sweeping movement was wrapped up by Mphahlele providing a cut-back from the right by-line and Siphiwe Tshabalala easily steered home a shot to make it 2-1.

Maritzburg created one great chance to equalise in injury time, with Mngonyama's cross from the right picking out Brian Onyango, but the defender put his headed effort wide of the mark.

NAMPA / ANA

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Injuries ruin victories by Madrid and Barcelona

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Dos Santos blames cops for stampede

≪ Previous: Chiefs secure victory against Maritzburg

Injuries ruin victories by Madrid and Barcelona

Gruesome injuries marred victories by Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, as both powerhouses won on the road to stay atop the Spanish league.

Madrid needed goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Francisco “Isco” Alarcon to earn a hard-fought 3-1 victory at bottom-side Osasuna. Two players were carried off on stretchers.

Osasuna's Cayetano Bonnin was the more serious. He broke both the tibia and the fibula of his right leg when he knocked legs with Isco.

Madrid defender Danilo couldn't continue in the second half when an Osasuna player stomped on his left ankle. Barcelona's big three of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, and Neymar led a 6-0 rout at Alaves that included another nasty injury to teammate Aleix Vidal, and a violent clash between rival fans. Vidal was carried off near the end of the game after he hurt his right lower leg in a sliding challenge from Theo Hernandez. The club said Vidal was taken to a hospital. “We feel horrible for him and for the team,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. “It doesn't look good.” After barely playing in the first half of the season, Vidal earned a spot in Luis Enrique's rotation in recent weeks. Before the game, fans from both teams fought near Mendizorroza Stadium in the Basque city of Vitoria. Both clubs condemned the violence. Alaves said it would take action against any of its club members if they were involved.

Osasuna 1, Real Madrid 3

Ronaldo scored his 14th league goal past goalie Salvatore Sirigu, but Osasuna forward Sergio Leon coolly chipped goalie Keylor Navas on the break to level in the 33rd minute.

Isco restored Madrid's lead in the 62nd after a mistake by Osasuna's defense allowed Karim Benzema into the box. Leon was twice denied by Navas in the second half in a dignified performance by an Osasuna side that saw its winless streak reach 14 rounds. Substitute Lucas Vazquez added a third goal for Madrid just before the whistle. Madrid, which has two games in hand, remained one point ahead of Barcelona.

Alaves 0, Barcelona 6

Suarez struck twice to continue his excellent scoring form with 10 goals in his last nine appearances across all competitions. He is on pace to repeat as La Liga's leading scorer with 18, followed closely by Messi with 17.

Suarez also played a part in two more goals, while defender Alexis Ruano added an own goal on a dismal day for the hosts.

Alaves will have more than three months to prepare for its next meeting with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on May 27.

At least Alaves can count on Suarez not playing in that final due to a one-game suspension. The Basque club had no answer for Suarez on Saturday. Suarez opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he completed a beautiful team buildup that quickly moved the ball from left to right of the attack before Suarez was left to fire in Vidal's low cross.

Suarez's hustle helped double the advantage in the 40th when goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco swatted a ball off Suarez's head. The ball bounced right to Neymar to tap in. Messi drilled a left-footed shot between Pacheco's legs after he stole the ball from Carlos Vigaray near Alaves' goal in the second half. Alaves wilted when Ruano knocked in an own goal trying to stop Messi after Suarez set him up. Suarez started a counterattack that produced a goal by Ivan Rakitic, and Suarez took his second goal two minutes later when he blasted in a rebound.

Athletic Bibao 2, Deportivo Coruna 1

Veteran striker Aritz Aduriz scored with a minute remaining to complete Athletic Bilbao's comeback over Deportivo La Coruna, which went ahead on Emre Colak's long-distance strike.

Real Betis 0, Valencia 0

Real Betis striker Ruben Castro hit the post early on in a scoreless stalemate that increased the winless streaks of both teams.

NAMPA/AP

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Dos Santos blames cops for stampede

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Mourinho wants praises for United

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Dos Santos blames cops for stampedeOfficial investigation has been launched Witnesses to the Saturday stampede in the northern Angola town of Uige say the police caused the chaos by throwing tear gas into the crowds.

Angola announced an investigation on Saturday into a stadium stampede that killed at least 17 and injured scores, as the nation's president, the host team and witnesses blamed the deaths on police error.

Children were among the victims in what has been described as the country's worst football tragedy, with some witnesses confirming that many fans did not have tickets for the match on Friday.

“It was a serious error to allow so many people get so close to the stadium. Many people didn't have a ticket and that created confusion,” Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos said.

Several witnesses accused the police of having provoked panic by attempting to disperse a crowd outside the ground on Friday with tear gas.

“It's the police who created the confusion,” Olavo Castigo, who was at the ground, told AFP.

“It was badly organised. They threw tear gas which provoked the crowd,” he added.

The government has set up a commission to probe the crush, the national Angop news agency reported.

“Several children have been killed,” police spokesperson Orlando Bernardo told AFP.

“There was a blockage at the entrance to the January 4 stadium,” he said.

“This obstruction caused multiple fatalities - 17 deaths, and there are 56 injured in the hospital.”

A second commission will help families of those who died and assist in organising funerals.

The deaths occurred during a domestic league match between host side Santa Rita de Cassia and Recreativo de Libolo in the northern town of Uige on the opening day of the season.

The players went on to complete the match, a 1-0 win for Recreativo, despite the tragedy.

A doctor at the military hospital in Uige said on Saturday that the toll had risen to 25, but officials maintained that the toll was 17.

'Tragedy without precedent'

Police said hundreds of fans had tried to enter the already packed stadium to see the match, causing a crush that pushed some people to the ground.

Many of the dead were trampled to death or suffocated.

“While the players were on the field, fans outside were trying to get into the stadium and a gate probably gave way to the pressure of the crowd causing several people to fall who were literally trampled on by the crowd,” the Recreativo club said in a statement on its website.

The club called it “a tragedy without precedent in the history of Angolan football”.

Daniel Mpanzo, who suffered a fractured leg when he was pinned up against a metal grille, said the trouble began when “police started hitting people” and only allowed a trickle of fans in.

Sergio Traguil, the host side's coach, told the Diario de Noticias newspaper: “Nobody inside the stadium was aware of what was happening outside.”

Images shown on Angolan television backed up the claim, showing thousands of spectators sitting around the pitch in a stadium with no stands.

'All the police's fault'

The Portuguese news agency Lusa reported that the president of the host team said security forces were to blame for not properly controlling the crowd.

“It is all the fault of the police. It was easy to avoid. They just need to extend the safety cordon,” it quoted Pedro Nzolonzi as saying.

Angola, ranked 148 in the FIFA world rankings, is a minor power in African football.

The country has been relatively closed to the outside world under the authoritarian Dos Santos, who has ruled since 1979.

Football has a tragic history of stampedes and stadium deaths, often blamed on lack of crowd control, dangerous venues and spectator behaviour.

In 2009, poor crowd control in Abidjan caused 19 deaths before a 2010 World Cup qualifier between hosts Ivory Coast and Malawi.

And a stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana in 2001 resulted in 127 deaths.

Back in 1989, 96 Liverpool supporters died in a crush in the stands at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

The worst stadium disaster happened in May 1964 when 320 people were trampled or asphyxiated and more than 1,000 injured during a stampede at a Peru-Argentina match at Lima's National Stadium.

NAMPA/AFP

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Mourinho wants praises for United

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: LHU charity golf day set for March

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Mourinho wants praises for United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claims his side's attacking efforts would be hailed more if someone else was in charge at Old Trafford.

United completely outplayed Watford in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win as goals from Juan Mata and Anthony Martial took Mourinho's men to within a point of the Champions League places.

Their display belied Mourinho's reputation as a defence-minded manager and he said United would get more credit for the quality of their football if he was not sitting in the dug-out.

“It was a very good (performance),” he said. “It was the kind of football that if it was somebody else's team, you would say it was 'art', but because it was my team, you will just say it was 'very good'. But that is fine.”

Mata's 32nd-minute goal helped United break through Watford's defensive resistance on an afternoon when Mourinho's men had the run of the pitch.

It was United's fourth consecutive clean sheet and while that pleased Mourinho, he knows the club's fans demand to be entertained more than anything else.

“We are not a team scoring lots of goals so it is important to keep the clean sheets,” Mourinho told his post-game press conference. “I am really happy with the performance.

“When I got the job they were saying at Manchester United you need to play football in a certain way and I agree.

“Sixteen (league) games unbeaten is an amazing record, but it would be the perfect record with two or three fewer draws at home. We have an amazing record of being unbeaten, but we should have more.”

Watford battled manfully throughout the game, but offered little going forward apart from the occasional foray from on-loan AC Milan striker M'Baye Niang and Jose Holebas.

NAMPA / AFP

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LHU charity golf day set for March

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Namibia up one spot FIFA ranking

≪ Previous: Mourinho wants praises for United

LHU charity golf day set for MarchVulnerable communities to benefit Golfers will gather in the coastal town to compete in a competition which in the past has helped many people around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine (LHU) will be hosting its sixth Annual Charity Golf day at the Rossmund Golf course in Swakopmund on 4 March.

To date, N$657 550 has been raised through the event, with nine different child-centred charities within Swakopmund and Walvis Bay benefiting since the event’s inception in 2012.

The tournament format will be a three ball alliance, scramble drive on all holes, 2 scores to count on all par 4’s and 5’s and 3 scores to count on all pars 3’s. Playing off official handicap, maximum unofficial handicap allowed of 24.

A team entry costs N$3 000 whereas with N$5 000 individuals can enter two teams.

With a maximum of 36 teams allowed, the event is said to also provide excellent networking opportunities with corporate Namibia.

Last year, the tournament raised N$145 000, with the Walvis Bay Children and Family Centre (WBCFC) receiving N$80 000 to procure an oven.

About N$65 000 was used to acquire school uniforms for 125 vulnerable children from all public schools in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

Mark Barnard, team captain of defending champions Ricoh Namibia, said his team is ready to defend their title.

“Apart from making a difference with their contribution, organisations can use this great opportunity to foster relationships by inviting their clients to participate”, he said.

His team walked away with prizes valued at N$10 000, sponsored by Danste Industrial and a floating trophy sponsored by Eco Tech.

Sports Reporter

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Namibia up one spot FIFA ranking

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Rugby Sevens festival looms

≪ Previous: LHU charity golf day set for March

Namibia up one spot FIFA ranking

Namibia football moved one position up the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) rankings.

According to the latest world rankings released on Thursday, Namibia moved from 99th position, which they occupied in January, to 98th.

The Brave Warriors moved up without having played a single game since September when they lost to Senegal in African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

In Africa, the Brave Warriors are ranked 26th, one position up from 27th last month, making them of the highest ranked teams in Sothern Africa.

Egypt, the 2017 Afcon losing finalist, are 23rd in the world and first on the continent after moving 10 places up the ranking from 13th position last month.

Recently, crowned African champions, Cameroon, jumped a massive 29 places to be ranked on position three on the continent. They are ranked 33rd in the world.

The Brave Warriors will resume action in June when they play 2019 Afcon qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau on the weekend of 5 to 6 June.

Their next game will be against Zimbabwe in the second-round qualifier for the 2018 African Nations Championship qualifiers in Windhoek, on the weekend of 15 and 16 July with the second leg taking place in Zimbabwe between 21 and 23 July.

Namibia’s all-time highest ranking was 68th in 1998 in the year they also played in the Africa Cup of Nations.

NAMPA

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Rugby Sevens festival looms

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Job a hala okuya methigathano lyuupresidende nenge uupeha presidende

≪ Previous: Namibia up one spot FIFA ranking

Rugby Sevens festival looms Windhoek Gymnasium will be hosting the Capricorn Group Windhoek Gymnasium Rugby Sevens Festival in March.

The tournament has local and international schools lined up to challenge for top honours in the competition. Teams from Germany, Zambia, and South Africa will make their way to Namibia to battle it out for championship.

Well-known international referee Marius Jonker will be the guest referee for the event, while Jacky Husselman will be in charge of the referees.

About six Namibian and four South African referees will officiate at the festival. Well-known crowd activator, Gary Forwood, will be in charge of announcements and entertainment for the day.

The tournament will be hosted on the brand new Rhino Turf rugby field at Windhoek Gymnasium in Kleine Kuppe.

The event will see the first ever rugby matches played on this field, and will therefore also serve as the inauguration of the field.

Windhoek Gymnasium has invited the president, minister of sport, chairman of the Namibian Rugby Union and other important delegates.

The Games will be played from 14:00 to 21:30 on 3 March, and from 07:30 to 18:00 on 4 March at the respective venue.

“This promises to be a true rugby festival, displaying exhilarating sevens rugby talent! We plan to host 3 000 plus visitors and players at the event, and are planning to make this an annual event, to which most participants have already agreed. Come and enjoy a great two days of rugby, celebrating an exciting first for Africa,” event organisers said.

Sports Reporter

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Job a hala okuya methigathano lyuupresidende nenge uupeha presidende

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Oskola yopevi yaKahao yi li monkalo ya nayipala

≪ Previous: Rugby Sevens festival looms

Job a hala okuya methigathano lyuupresidende nenge uupeha presidende Ethimbo olya thikana aanyasha opo ya kuthe ombinga momathigathano guuleli woshilongo Omuhwahwameki gwaanyasha, Job Amupanda okwa pititha onkundana onene pehulilo lyoshiwike sha piti, sho a tseyitha kutya okwa hala okukutha ombinga medhigathano lyoompito dhuuleli dhopombanda mOngundu yoSwapo.

Amupanda okwa koleke kutya ngashiingeyi ota tala omeho moSwapo momwene ihe ka ku shi kEwawa lyAanyasha yongundu yoSwapo, na okwa holola kutya okwa manguluka okukutha ombinga medhigathano lyuupresidende nenge lyuupeha presidende mongundu tayi pangele.

“Oshi li mondjila aanyasha opo ya kuthe ombinga momahogololo goongundu dhawo. Onda a dha iipumbiwa naashoka osho tashi etitha opo ndi kuthe ombinga momahogololo guupresidende nenge guupeha presidende, nonando onda mono owala ewi limwe,” Amupanda a lombwele oNamibian Sun.

Omupresidende Hage Geingob, ngoka wo e li woo pehala lyomuleli gwongundu yoSwapo, okwa tegelelwa a ka kuthe ombinga methigathano ndyoka. Iiwike ya piti, omuprima nale Nahas Angula okwa holola ohokwe ye yokukutha ombinga methigathano lyuupeha presidende ngele okwa ulikwa.

Oshifokundaneki shoConfidénte nasho osha lopota kutya omupopiliko gwOngundu yoSwapo, Helmut Angula naye oku na ohokwe yokukutha ombinga methigathano lyuupeha presidende.

Kape na iipumbiwa yoomvula opo omuntu a kuthe ombinga methigathano lyoompito dhoka dhopombanda moSwapo, naAmupanda ota gwanitha oomvula 30 muNovemba.

“Aanyasha otaya vulu okukwatela komeho molwaashoka itaya dhilaadhila owala nomutse nomapunda. Kape na shoka sha puka ngele inaya sindana. Iilongo ohayi yi komaudhano gopauyuni kehe konima yoomvula ne ihe ihayi sindana,” Amupanda ta ti.

“Melelo lyoSwapo ngashiingeyi omu na aantu oyendji mboka taya gwanitha oomvula 80, omanga wu na oopresenda 50 dhaahogololi aanyasha. Otu na woo aanyasha miitopolwa mboka taya ka kutha ombinga momahogololo mokongresa ndjoka tayi ningwa nuumvo.”

Pahapu dhaAmupanda aaleli yaanyasha nale oya lombwelwa kutya naya tegelele olufo lwawo, ihe sigo onena ihaya tyapula okukuutumba poshitaafula oshinene.

“Aakwaita mboka oya li ye na okukala poompito dhopombanda monena. Oshilongo osha pumbwa elelo lya ndjanga opo owala tashi mangululwa konkalo yuutile.”

“Aanyasha mboka ya tulwa melelo ngashiingeyi oya lombwelwa ya mwene. Ohaya lombwelwa ya mwene omathimbo agehe nenge taya pulwa ya gandje ombili nenge ya tidhwe miilonga ngele oya tindi okugandja ombili ngaashi omupevi minista nale Bernadus Swartbooi,” Amupanda ta ti.

Amupanda okwa popi kutya aakokele mongundu inaya pumbwa okukwatako eningo lyomatokolo.

“Muule woomvula 27 otwa kala tatu lombwelwa kutya omupresidende ta landula oku na okuza mongundu yaTanganyika nenge na kale e na oomvula dhontumba. Oya kala taye tu topolwa pokati kongundu yoTanganyika A noTanganyika B. SamNujoma okwa ningi omupresidende gwoSwapo mepupi lyoomvula 30 onkene shoka tatu lombwelwa kashi shi omuthigululwakalo gwaSwapo. Aanyasha yetu naya kuthe ombinga Osigo uunake tatu pitika ongundu yaTanganyika yi tsikile? Ohatu lombwelwa aluhe kutya otse aaleli yokomongula na otatu ka mona tatu tsikile nokulombwelwa ngaaka mepupi lyoomvula 70. Ethimbo olya thikana opo aanyasha ya tameke okukutha ombinga momahogololo ngoka.”

Ongundu yoTanganyika ohayi ithanwa AakwaSwapo yotango mboka ya yi muupongekwa pondje yoshilongo pethimbo lyekondjelomanguluko lyoshilongo.

Amushanga gwoSwapo, Nangolo Mbumba okwa kunkilile iilyo yongundu opo kayi tseyithe aahogololwa yawo omanga okongresa ndjoka inayi ningwa, oshowo okuninga omahwahwameko komapandja gomakwatathano gopainternet, nonando ina hala okupopya mboka ya mono taya ningi omahwahwameko ngoka.

OMUTOOLINKUNDANA GWOMENI/JEMIMA BEUKES

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Oskola yopevi yaKahao yi li monkalo ya nayipala

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Shihepo promises better results

≪ Previous: Job a hala okuya methigathano lyuupresidende nenge uupeha presidende

Oskola yopevi yaKahao yi li monkalo ya nayipala

Omanga ya tegelela ya pewe iipatululo yoskola ompe ndjoka ya tungwa, aanaskola naalongi moskola yopevi yaKahao mOshitopolwa shaMusati oya taalela onkalo ya nayipala ya kehe esiku, momatungo gongeleka moka oskola ndjoka tayi hiila.

Oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha talele po oskola ndjoka oshiwike sha piti, na osha kundwa komatungo ga kulupa noonkondo.

Kehe esiku aalongi naanaskola poskola ndjoka oye li moongulu dhomakende ga tatuka, omalambo moongulu dhoskola oshowo omakuma ga kulupa noonkondo goombelewa yaalongi naaniilonga yalwe.

Uundjugo mboka wuli oshinano shoomeya 100 okuza komweelo gwoskola ndjoka, nawo owuli monkalo ya nayipala noonkondo naashoka osha thiminike aanaskola ya longithe iihwa.

Uundjugo mboka wa tungwa kaasoomi owu na omapoto ge na oombululu oonene naashoka osha nika oshiponga unene kaanona mboka aashona.

Oshitiyali uundjugo mboka inawu silwa oshisho, noonyata otadhi monika dhiihanena kehe pamwe.

Oshititatu aakwashigwana nayo otaya vuyu okulongitha uundjugo mboka molwaashoka odhalate yoskola oya tetwa.

Oskola ndjoka oyi na ondondo yotango sigo ontitano na oyi na aanaskola ya thika po-479 naalongi 16.

Omukuluntuskola gwoskola ndjoka, Immanuel Amutenya okwa holola omaiyuvo ge kombinga yonkalo yoskola ndjoka oshowo etegelelo enene lyokupewa ooshapi dhomatungo omape goskola ndjoka ya tungilwa na oya li ye na okutembukila koskola ndjoka andola mo-2015.

Amutenya okwa popi kutya okwa halelela noonkondo opo ya tembukile omatungo ngoka omape molwaashoka onkalo poskola ndjoka oya nayipala noonkondo.

“Ongaashi muwete kutya ehala kali shi ewanawa nokulongela nenge nokulongelwa. Otashi kala oshiwanawa ngele twa yi koskola ndjoka ompe.”

Amutenya okwa popi kutya ku uviteko kutya otashi ende ngiini sho oskola ndjoka ya li yi na okupatuluka oomvula mbali ihe sigo onena otaya mono iihuna pakukala momatungo gongeleka ngoka taya hiila.

Oskola oya kala momatungo ngoka okutameka moomvula dho-1980.

Nonando oya taalela onkalo ndjoka, Amutenya okwa popi kutya ongula aluhe etameko lyootundi dhawo ohali yiwa moshipala uule woominute 20 sigo 30 molwaashoka aanaskola oye na okukatala omambo gawo koombelewa hoka oko haku pungulwa omambo. Momukalo ngoka aanona yamwe otaya kanithilemo omambo gawo.

“Otu na uupyakadhi wehala, ngaashi mu wete mombelewa yandje omuudha nayi noonkondo, ehala ndika kali shi ewanawa nokulongela.”

Kombinga yetembukilo koskola ompe ndjoka tayi adhika owala oshinano shookilometa 500, Amutenya okwa popi kutya konima nkene opoloyeka yetungo ndyoka ya tamekwa, omutungi ngoka e li piilonga mpoka omutine monena na oku na omukumo kutya otaya ka mana iilonga opo oskola yi vule okutembuka.

“Otwa uvanekelwa kutya oskola ndjoka otayi pu muule woomwedhi ndatu dhili komeho, otashi ulike kutya moshikako tashi landula otatu tembukile koskola ndjoka.”

Oskola ndjoka ompe oyi na oomatungo goongulu dhoskola, oombelewa, ongulumambo nolabora.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Shihepo promises better results

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Namibian skydivers set new heights

≪ Previous: Oskola yopevi yaKahao yi li monkalo ya nayipala

Shihepo promises better resultsBlack Mamba ready to strike The light-heavyweight boxer has dusted himself from all disappointments and is raring to impress.

Wilberforce 'Black Mamba' Shihepo has been hard at work in the gym since December, following his disappointing knockout last year by Callum Johnson in the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title challenge.

Speaking to Namibian Sun recently, Shihepo said he wants to make sure that he is well prepared for any match on his way.

“I have been training since last year December, twice a day because I want to keep myself well prepared for any fight that will come my way.

“After last year's fight I have realised that I was not well prepared so this year I want to make sure that whatever fight I get I am really prepared for it,” he said, adding that he is not going to take on any fight if he is not ready.

Shihepo mentioned that it is at times hard for a boxer when they have been out of the ring for some time, only to get a big title fight so he is now hoping to first get a fight locally.

“I will wait on my camp to hear what they have in store for me this year, but I first want a warm-up fight at home before any bigger fight,” he said, adding that getting to fight at home first will also serve as a self-assessment for him to see how ready he is for the next challenge.

The optimistic Shihepo further mentioned that he is looking forward to a “great” year in his boxing career, as he is still young.

“I am looking forward to this year and promise my fans that I will give them good results,” he said.

He maintained that it has become hard for a boxer to get a fight unlike in the past and that they have to balance between boxing and work which is also a challenge.

“Boxing is not something we get paid for per month so it is at times hard because you also have to make sure that you run your business but then you end up not giving the two the much needed attention,” he said.

KAINO NGHITONGO

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Namibian skydivers set new heights

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Where to get fit?

≪ Previous: Shihepo promises better results

Namibian skydivers set new heights

Ground Rush Adventures held its annual national skydiving club championship on 4 February.

The event was held in order to develop skills and promote competition.

Skydivers at both junior and intermediate level, took up the challenge of jumping from 10 500 feet and competing in a two-way formation team setup.

Anticipation was already flying high before the competition started, with team Organic Pirates (Bianca van der Westhuizen and Grégoire Cavlli) being the outright favourites to take the championship.

Other favourites in the competition were team Lean and Mean (Bernt Bruns and Peter Verdnyn) and Team Zac Attack (Marc Gregan and Ewert Strauss) respectively.

However, the competition proved much more unpredictable with none of the three favourite teams reaching the podium.

With only five points separating the top seven teams after the two rounds, it was Team Sky Bosses (Mias Rambo and Jean Basson) who took the honours to be crowned Ground Rush National Club Champions of 2017. In second place was Team Chop and Dop (Dries van Zyl and Dawie Olivier) followed by third placed Team Sky Surfers (Jannie van der Westhuizen and Anne Bonfert).

Accuracy landing was also a hugely entertaining part of the day, with Anne Bonfert landing only 2.95 meters away from the designated landing area in the junior category, while Grégoire Cavlli's landing measured at 7.18 meters in the intermediate accuracy challenge.

Ground Rush Adventures also acknowledged skydivers that excelled in 2016 with Marc Gregan flying high with Skydiver of the year and Anne Bonfert named the best performing junior of the year.

The competition was made up of two rounds with different dive plans, allowing the two-way teams only 30 seconds to accumulate as many points as possible.

Teams consisted of junior and senior skydivers of different skill levels, making the contest equally well-matched.

Twenty skydivers split up into 10 teams for this challenge and showcased some excellent skills and entertained the crowd that witnessed this spectacular skydiving event in Namibia. Ground Rush Adventures is renowned for its world class training for students who want to start skydiving. Through this, the number of local jumpers has increased.

It is their aim at some point to send a Namibian team to compete against South Africa during their national championship.

Ground Rush Adventures and all the participating skydivers lauded sponsors for making the event a huge success.

Sponsors are

2 Beards Coffee, Africa Online, Alter Action Sandboarding, Aquanaut Tours, Café Anton, Desert Tavern, Ground Rush Adventures, Icarus Airwear, Jangwa Adventures Namibia, LR Parts, Namibia Breweries, OTB, Interpack – Red Bull, Sovereign, Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, The Fun Shop, Village Café and Werner Lassen.

Sports Reporter

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Where to get fit?

February 12, 2017, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Seibeb wins Nedbank MTB challenge

≪ Previous: Namibian skydivers set new heights

Where to get fit? The number of boot camps and different fitness exercises that people are engaged in is amazing but sadly, there are not enough premises forcing the health conscious citizens to share the few available places to carry out their exercises.

I recently visited the Katutura Youth Complex afterhours and the number of people I found there was not only surprising, it was awe-inspiring to see how people are hungry to just keep fit.

The complex was packed to capacity with people of different ages engaged in various activities and that showed how many people are embracing the statement “a healthy mind is a healthy body.”

It is amazing that not only are elderly people working out but the young ones as well. While so many people are eager to exercise, their spirits are dampened by the lack of facilities.

Jogging and hiking have become popular of late and wherever you go, you see people jogging along the road, a trend that shows you how people really want to keep fit.

The icing on the cake for people who are doing these fitness activities is winning the different health battles that they are fighting and that is the way to go.

Heart disease is amongst a plethora of other ailments that are robbing us of our sports stars, but once we strengthen our desire to work-out in the gyms and other out-doors activities, we are able to mitigate these losses and as a nation we will be moving in the right direction.

I must also mention that it is exciting that schools have also started with their athletics inter-house events but worrying is the fact that not all the school children actually get to build on the little knowledge they would have gained.

Although there is so much interest from the young ones, facilities remain the challenge and this is one lack that we need to address as a nation.

Financial year

Now that we are heading towards the end of this financial year and a term that saw very few sport plans being implemented, we expect to see a different turnout of events in the coming financial year.

I am sure when those leading sports entities look back and give us a retrospective report of yesteryear's achievements, it will not be a great one, but let us all hope this will change for the better in the coming financial year.

We need to prioritise some areas of sports, but that can only be done when there is a clear plan and not one that will sell false hopes to the nation.

The new financial year should allow the Directorate of Sports to move in a certain direction in order to get its programmes implemented.

We should not forget that there are still events planned in the pipeline, but we too need to be very careful that we do not become a nation that just participates yet our dream is to be a competing and winning nation. But, the question is, are we investing enough?

One really hopes that the current financial constraints will be reversed considering the fact that if the current situation prevails, sports will not make meaningful contribution towards the reduction of unemployment in the country. Ultimately, there is an urgent need to look into all the events that sport is able to empower the athletes before the budget is allocated.

The new budget for sports should be able to allow sports men and women to attend different events to enhance their experience and to meet new challenges, rather than just compete at home.

The future of sports in this country lies in the hands of the finance ministry and every sports person is looking forward to hear what the ministry has in stock for the sportspersons.

It is also about time that we look into prioritising sports, because by producing sports stars, the country will win its fight against unemployment, poverty, school drop-outs as well as a health nation. Let us not neglect sports because doing so means we are failing to realise the importance of sports beyond being on the sport field and the marathon track.

kaino@namibiansun.com

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