MTC rewards Jonas, Johannes for gold medals

WINDHOEK, 10 MAY  – Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) on Thursday rewarded 2018 Commonwealth gold medalists Junius Jonas and Helalia Johannes with N.dollars 50 000 each.
The two won gold in boxing and women’s marathon, respectively at the Friendly Games held in Australia in April.
Speaking at the opening of the first-ever National Youth Games at the Independence Stadium Thursday, MTC executive Tim Ekandjo said the gesture was meant to inspire young and upcoming Namibian athletes to take sports seriously.
“MTC decided to award these two winners so as to show the young athletes that hard work pays off. Their performance in Australia was not for them as individuals, but for us as a country,” he said.
Jonas beat Thomas Blumenfeld of Canada in the final of 64 kilogramme category, while Johannes became the first Namibian woman to win gold at the games after finishing first in a time of two hours, 32 minutes and 40 seconds.
On his part, Jonas said receiving the reward from MTC makes him proud and will push him to work harder.
“This shows that my efforts are being recognised,” he said.
Johannes said what MTC had done for them is an inspirational to the younger athletes.
Government is yet to reward the athletes, because the national rewards policy has not been officially endorsed by the government.
Meanwhile, Ekandjo applauded the corporate companies that came on board as sponsors for the games, saying this will help develop sports in Namibia.
Sponsors include NamPower, Coca-Cola, Namibia Breweries through their Aqua Splash product, Namibian Broadcasting Corporation as a media partner, Meatco and Fishcor Namibia.
He further stated that next year, MTC will “paint the stadium and athletes blue” when it comes on board as the main sponsor of the games.
Competitions in athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, netball, swimming, tennis and volleyball are taking place at various venues in Windhoek from Thursday to Saturday.
Over 1 800 athletes and officials are taking part in the games, which will see a national team selected to represent the country at the Region Five Games in Gaborone, Botswana from 07 to 16 December.

NAMPA