By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK, June 20 – Old Mutual Wealth Namibia proudly announced its sponsorship of the Namibian Veld Shooting Team for the 4th World Hunting Rifle Shooting Championship, held at Otjiwa Lodge from June 10 to 15, 2024. The sponsorship included the procurement of specialized shooting jackets for the team, supporting their participation in this prestigious event.
The Namibian team, bolstered by the support of Old Mutual Wealth, delivered outstanding performances across several categories during the championships, showcasing exceptional skill and determination against competitors from South Africa, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
Namibian shooters excelled in various categories thanks to the sponsorship. Karola Marais was crowned the .222/.223 Ladies World Champion, while Francois Marais Snr became the .222/.223 Seniors World Champion. Francois Marais Jnr not only won the Overall .222/.223 title but also retained his overall Open World Champion title. The Namibian National 223 Team secured second place with 12,348.8 points in the .222/.223 National Team competition, and in the .222/.223 President Team category, the Namibia 223 Presidents team placed second with 11,458 points.
In the Ladies Category, Karola Marais achieved first place. In the Men’s Category, Stephanus Francois Marais Jnr secured first place, and Schalk Leopoldt Barnard placed third. In the Senior Category of the Open Championship, Stephanus Francois Marais Snr won first place in the Senior 50-59 category. Additionally, in the Men’s Category of the Open Championship, Stephanus Francois Marais Jnr took first place, Luandre Benade finished fifth, and Michael Barlow came in fourth.
The increasing participation of juniors and ladies, making up close to 25% of the competitors, bodes well for the future of this precision shooting sport. This demographic shift reflects a growing interest and talent pool within the sport, ensuring its longevity and competitiveness in the years to come.
Wikus Fourie, Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual Wealth, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We were honoured to support the Namibian Veld Shooting Team as they represented our nation on the international stage. This sponsorship underscored our belief in the power of dedication and precision, qualities that resonate deeply with both shooting sports and wealth management.”
Celeste van der Merwe, Marketing Representative of the Namibian Hunting Rifle Shooting Association (NHRSA), emphasized the significance of the sponsorship for the future of the sport. “This sponsorship was incredibly meaningful,” she remarked. “It represented a strong vote of confidence in our shooters’ potential and dedication. It provided the resources needed to excel and contributed to the overall elevation of the sport.”
Old Mutual Wealth remains committed to supporting excellence in sports and beyond and looks forward to witnessing the Namibian Veld Shooting Team’s outstanding performance at future championships.
