Swakop Uranium (SU) Mine will host this year’s Inter-mines Sports Tournament in Swakopmund on 25 and 26 November.

The event will see 13 mining or mining-related companies from across the country competing in five sport codes.

The competition was last hosted by B2Gold Mine at Otjiwarongo in 2019 and was halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

SU Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Patrick Chizabulyo, at a draw event in Swakopmund on Tuesday said the games aim to create a balance between work and life for the mine workers.

“One cannot just consistently work without a balance. Sport is one of those activities that helps us balance our lives. The games are also intended to create a platform for networking within the mining industry, while strengthening camaraderie among workers as well as developing sports talents,” Chizabulyo said.

He noted that the competition is not merely meant for fun but can also be a platform to scout talent and that participants should therefore put their all into the games.

He further encouraged employees to use this opportunity to interact and learn from one another, whether it is on the sport or work-wise.

Training instructor at the Trevali Zinc Mine in Rosh Pinah, Johannes Kudumo, said the mine is taking part in the competition mainly as a tribute to employees at the mine who have succumbed to COVID-19.

“COVID-19 really hit the mining industry badly and as we speak, some of our fellow colleagues at other mines are still on care and maintenance. Therefore, these games are really a glimmer of hope for all of us who survived the pandemic. This gives us the strength and courage to keep fighting in honour of those who have left us,” Kudumo stated.

The team, according to him, also aims to defend their titles in darts and netball.

The sports codes involved are football, netball, volleyball, pool and darts.

There will be 16 active teams taking part in football, eight veteran football teams, as well as eight netball, 10 volleyball, 19 pool and 15 darts teams respectively.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency