Omaruru Road Mile this weekend Sponsors pleased to be part of sport development Athletes will be heading to Omaruru this weekend for the fourth Erongo Powersave Road Mile Challenge. The annual Erongo Powersave Road Mile Challenge, scheduled for Saturday at Omaruru, is open to every Namibian, says regional sports officer Berthold Karumendu.Karumendu said they expect more athletes to take part in this year''s event.
He thanked the main sponsors, Powersave, Pasta Polana and Windhoek Light. The three companies together contributed N$110 000. Smaller sponsors included FNB Omaruru, which contributed N$800.
“It is another privilege from my main sponsor that with the support of these companies this type of event could still go on, because when it comes to mass participation, this event could not take place as I know government cannot afford all activities in the country,” he said.
He emphasised that the race is open to each and every Namibian. “Omaruru is ready to host this event but without the support of these companies certain events cannot take place.”
He noted that the government is looking at mass participation. “With these races we may not see any talent but when you host this type of competition the talent will come up and that is why we are having these races in order to groom athletes all over Namibia.”
Powersave consultant Armand Steyn said they are proud to be part of the race that has been growing every year.
“It is a privilege to be part of this race for the fourth year now and happy to be involved because it is not something in Windhoek and for the three years there has been a lot of runners there and has been exciting and I would like to think that we will get close to 700 athletes this year which will be absolutely fantastic for Omaruru,” he said.
Steyn said their involvement in the race is mainly because they want to make bigger events in small towns and are still part of the race because “there is a good hand controlling the race.”
Some big names from the Namibia Defence Force, Namibia Police Force and Correctional Services are expected to take part in the road race.
Karumendu said six athletes from Botswana promised to take part too.
The race will have categories ranging from primary girls and boys age 10 to 13, junior girls and boys aged 14 to 19, veterans aged 40 to 49, masters of 50 years and older, and senior men and women aged 20 to 39.
The prizes in the senior races start from N$5000 for the winner to N$300 for the seventh person, while the junior prizes range from N$3 000 to N$300 for the sixth person.
In the veterans, seniors and primary categories only the top three finishers will receive prizes.
The event sponsors are, FNB Omaruru, Marathon Sugar, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Pasta Polana, Windhoek Light and Powersave.
KAINO NGHTONGO