Omaruru-based Erongo regional sports officer Berthold Karumendu said 2022 will be a year that will see him revive all the athletic activities, usually held in his region.

This includes the Navachab Half-Marathon in Karibib, the Spar challenge as well as the Street Mile in Omaruru which have since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, not been held.

In an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, the Sports Officer said in 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 affected the hosting of the events but with the government putting regulations in place they are now looking forward to the year that will be filled with sporting activities.

“Our events require mass participation and we did not know what to do when the pandemic started but with the new regulations we can now work according to those regulations,” he said.

He added that in the past, his office hosted events that attracted 1000 athletes which is something that sponsors want to see at events, saying that with the reduced numbers at gatherings he however foresees a challenge.

“Our main sponsors don’t want to host events that have few people but if we are to revive these competitions that kept athletes active while at the same time gaining an income we will have to work around that as we adhere to the Covid-19 regulations which limit the numbers of people at gatherings,’ he said.

Berthold said an event that will not be hosted this year is the Omaruru Cycle Challenge but dates for their athletic activities will be announced later in the year as they are still busy planning.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency