WINDHOEK – Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) is the main and headline sponsor of the MTC Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Sports Awards.
The annual awards are an initiative that recognizes and honour Namibian athletes in all the sporting disciplines and MTC is encouraging all Namibians and corporate businesses to embrace the event as a national initiative – and not necessarily the sole domain of MTC.

MTC Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer, Tim Ekandjo, said the annual awards are the only national platform in the country where athletes in all sports codes are jointly recognized for their excellence and should be supported by everybody connected to sport, inclusive of the corporate world. According to Ekandjo, though MTC is the title sponsor, it does not mean that any other corporate cannot come on board and support the athletes.

“We are cognizant of the fact that many other corporates sponsor various sports codes, and they are therefore welcome to participate in the MTC NSC Sports Awards by sponsoring certain categories, or by simply co-sponsoring the event because this only means that athletes will benefit by getting even better prizes in the different categories,” he said.  

Added Ekandjo: “We definitely don’t have any problem co-existing with any other sponsor that wants to come onboard to make a contribution, since this is a national event where MTC is simply the main sponsor, and should not necessarily be the only sponsor.”
According to Ekandjo, the prize monies can definitely be improved since athletes deserve better, and this represents an excellent opportunity for other corporate companies to join and be part of the celebration.

“We want to celebrate our athletes’ achievements with you, and therefore invite you to come on board.” So far, co-sponsors who have confirmed their participation are Distell Namibia, Windhoek Country Club Casino and Resort, and Wilderness Safaris.

The categories and prize monies at this year’s MTC NSC Sports Awards are as follows:
– Sportsman of the Year:                    N$15 000
– Sportswoman of the Year:         N$15 000
– Disabled Sportsman of the Year:     N$15 000
– Disabled Sportswoman of the Year: N$15 000
– Junior Sportsman of the Year:     N$10 000
– Junior Sportswoman of the Year:     N$10,000
– Most Improved Sportsperson:     N$5,000
– Coach of the Year:                     N$5 000

Categories that have no prize monies at the moment are:
– Referee/Umpire of the Year
– Administrator of the Year
– Coach of the Year
– Team of the Year
– Improved Sportsperson of the Year

The 2012 MTC NSC Sports Awards will take place on October 26, 2012 at the Windhoek Country Club Casino and Resort.
The due date for submission of nominations is September 28, and the finalists for this year’s awards will be announced on October 12, 2012.
This year’s guest speaker is multiple World Champion professional wheel-chair racing sensation, Ernst van Dyk.