The maiden edition of the Namibia Annual Sports Expo (NASE) was launched here on Thursday.
The expo, the first of its kind for Namibia, is being held from 05 to 07 September at the Independence and Hage Geingob stadiums in Windhoek.
It is being hosted by the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service in collaboration with the Namibia Sports Commission.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Erastus Uutoni called on sponsors to start investing more money in developing coaches throughout the 14 regions of Namibia.
“If we use the little resources we have and develop 14 or 28 coaches in the regions, we will start seeing the quality of athletes that can be selected to represent the country at a higher level,” he said.
He added that local sports can only improve if there are qualified coaches who can produce good athletes.
Speaking at the same occasion, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba said the sports expo should be a catalyst in reaching national development plans.
“We need to use sports to achieve better health, as well as national building and patriotism. We must use sports as contributor to the Namibian economy and help in curbing unemployment in the country,” he said.
Mbumba added that the sports sector at the moment employs over 15 000 people, but compared to other countries does not contribute much to the country’s gross domestic product.
“Sport must be a catalyst that unites our people and empowers people and communities,” said Mbumba, who also called for more sports facilities to be built around the country.
The expo was established to professionalise sports in Namibia and contribute to unity in the country.
There are local and international exhibitors at the event, which will also feature various sports discussions.
There will be various sports activities like football, Zumba, aerobics, and yoga and musical performances by various artists.