Having experienced the Vancouver Olympic Games and what it can do for the people made me realise what my country, Namibia, experienced when Frank Fredericks won his first Olympic medal. As a nation we experienced an indescribable exuberance, a togetherness, and so proud to be Namibian. That was the feeling I experienced in Vancouver. Everybody was involved, the federal government, business, the public, and most importantly the athletes. One of the things that stood out of me was the sponsorship drive that made for a successful 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Which brings me to my point:
Namibia needs a revised strategy in sponsorship of sport. This strategy can be made in the simplest way, focussing on the need for renewed government intervention and support, and more support from the corporate and big business(Banking, Insurance, etc) through tax laws that will put into place and support a National Sport Fund.
Businesses in Namibia, banking, insurance, breweries, telecommunications, etc are all doing well. There are notable sponsors who carried Namibia sport over the years and at the present moment still making valuable contributions to sport, for e.g. MTC, LEO, Namibia Breweries, Trustco, Coca-Cola. There are many others who are involved in sport. It goes without saying that these contributions are vital, but Namibia needs a secure, consistent sponsorship policy. Government can consider introducing a sport tax across the customer service industry. The Namibian insurance and banking industry is vibrant and healthy, with most of the profits benefiting causes outside the borders of the country. These businesses make huge profits and must be called upon to make substantial contributions to a National Sport Fund. It can be done. It is not something new. The rewards of such a venture can result in Namibia to be a competitor in the international sport arena, and winning medals.
Business involvement is not a new concept. We need to make it happen for us. We need government involvement to establish the sponsorship policy and to call for buy-in from industry and the public. It can be done!
http://olympic.ca/en/about/sponsors/sponsor-programs/
Namibia needs a revised strategy in sponsorship of sport. This strategy can be made in the simplest way, focussing on the need for renewed government intervention and support, and more support from the corporate and big business(Banking, Insurance, etc) through tax laws that will put into place and support a National Sport Fund.
Businesses in Namibia, banking, insurance, breweries, telecommunications, etc are all doing well. There are notable sponsors who carried Namibia sport over the years and at the present moment still making valuable contributions to sport, for e.g. MTC, LEO, Namibia Breweries, Trustco, Coca-Cola. There are many others who are involved in sport. It goes without saying that these contributions are vital, but Namibia needs a secure, consistent sponsorship policy. Government can consider introducing a sport tax across the customer service industry. The Namibian insurance and banking industry is vibrant and healthy, with most of the profits benefiting causes outside the borders of the country. These businesses make huge profits and must be called upon to make substantial contributions to a National Sport Fund. It can be done. It is not something new. The rewards of such a venture can result in Namibia to be a competitor in the international sport arena, and winning medals.
Business involvement is not a new concept. We need to make it happen for us. We need government involvement to establish the sponsorship policy and to call for buy-in from industry and the public. It can be done!
http://olympic.ca/en/about/sponsors/sponsor-programs/
Excellent argument.Sport is one thing that can bring a nation together and it has to be nurtured and supported.Is there a way you can bring your idea in regard a sposorship policy /sport tax to the attention of those in decisionmaking positions?Maybe your friends in the media in Namibia can assist in getting the discourse going?Or what about the Frank Fredericks Foundation?
ReplyDeleteGetting the word out and creating awareness is the first step. You are right, decision-makers must be involved.
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