By:Fransina Nghidengwa
The Regional Sports Officer of the Erongo office in cooperation with Spar Group Namibia will hold the first-ever Spar 10km women’s challenge race in Windhoek on 23 April.
According to the Spar Group regional manager, Eugene van Wyngaard, all ages and disabled women are welcome to take part in the race challenge.
“It is a charity race and the money prize will be announced in due course and all money generate from the race will be given back to the communities and charities that will be announced as well,” he said.
Sports, youth, and national services minister Agnes Tjongarero said that while women’s long distance running has been in existence for a long time now in Namibia, as exemplified by the numerous exploits of Helalia Johannes and others, this will be the first-ever 10km race exclusively for women.
Minister Tjongarero said the race will offer Namibian women an opportunity to now annually look forward to an event to participate in as it is open to all women.
She added that whether one is an elite athlete or a beginner, the untold benefit will accrue their way, by participating in the event.
“In a country where an increasing number of adolescents are slowly becoming classified as overweight and obese, such interventions as this 10km Women Race will stand the country in good stead,” she said.
Tjongarero further urged Namibian women to come out in great numbers to participate in the momentous occasion, stating that ultimately, the goal is to encourage and create a culture of women running in Namibia through mass sport participation.
“I am extending a challenge to all my colleagues in Parliament, all the female captains of industry, teachers, nurses, police officers and everyone else to come and participate, to turn this occasion into a celebration of Namibian females ” she said.