MTC should not be the only sports sponsor - Bernhard
OSHAKATI – MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club chairperson and promoter Joseph Benhard has called on the corporate world to start investing in sports to unearth more talents.
Following the conclusion of his stable’s Northern Regions Senior Amateur Boxing Bonanza, Benhard said MTC is not the only company in Namibia that should be responsible for sponsoring sports.
“We have a lot of companies that have to come on board and that will make it easier for all of us to host events. I don’t know why we always think MTC should be the only company supporting sports in the country,” he said, adding that Namibia has a lot of talent and only through good investments can such talent be identified.
“I was impressed by the boxers from Eehnana and those coming from as far as Okongo. I was impressed with how easy those boxers fought but my boxers who train in town struggled to beat them. It shows these guys are talented. All they need is the support and this can only happen if the corporate companies come on board,” said Benhard.
He stated that despite MTC being the main sponsor of most sporting activities. “First of all, I want to thank MTC the company that gives me the support to host such events, and secondly, I am proud of myself for what I have done because all boxers from the five regions are happy with the event we hosted seeing that all these fighters were not active but when I decided to host this event, they went out to train and gave a good show”
MTC’s corporate communication practitioner, Fikameni Mathias, said for more talent to be discovered in the country, a lot still needs to be done in helping these young boxers realise their dreams.
“If you look at this event, there were 19 bouts and most of these boxers lack the gear needed when preparing at their gyms. Now, this is an opportunity where other Namibians or those in position to help can come in and sponsor these boxers,” Mathias said.
He added that if the corporate world supported each other, hosting events of such nature would lead to growth and the boxers would then aspire to turn professional and start competing for national titles, which is currently not happening. – Nampa