AIMS host annual sport day

Multi-sport
Tina Victor
  • 2 Hours Ago

A total of 179 students from Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) and the wider community gathered at the Emma Hoogenhoud Sports Field on Friday for Africa International Management Services’ (AIMS) second annual sports day.

The event brought together students from AIMS, Clocknet, E-roads, Acardia and Special Olympics Namibia, as well as some participants who are not affiliated with any organisation.

Participants competed in football, netball, volleyball and tug-of-war, with teams made up of both men and women.

However, the event was not organised as a tournament or league competition, but as a platform for VTCs to interact, connect and build sportsmanship through sport.


Vocational courses

AIMS, which offers a variety of vocational courses including Sport Education, introduced the initiative as part of its outreach efforts to encourage students and lecturers to step away from their academic routines, interact with one another and focus on their mental wellness.

AIMS chief executive officer (CEO) Aletta Eises said sports should form part of how Namibia develops its young people.

“Sports engagement is critical. We should invest in Namibian children and prioritise them,” she said.

Eises said students should also be exposed to opportunities outside the traditional academic path.

“We should not only focus on the academic field but also on the other pathways that are here in Namibia to advance our learners.”

Sports analyst Mathew Haikali from Just Imagine and Arcadia Football Club also highlighted the importance of sport in creating an environment where students can interact and feel comfortable.

“I think wellness and mental health are important. Sports provide opportunities to engage and create safe spaces,” he said.

The organisers also used the event to promote participation beyond institutional boundaries, allowing students who were not affiliated with an organisation to take part alongside VTC students.


Appreciation honorariums

While teams competed for recognition, the Eises emphasised that the prizes were appreciation honorariums rather than tournament winnings. Winning teams received N$600 and a trophy, while runners-up received N$300. 

Individual players were also recognised for their performances and awarded medals.

Nevish Paulo from Acardia was named the best football player; Takamee Kahamboe of AIMS received the best netball player award, and Selma Penduka of AIMS was named the best volleyball player. The best players received medals.

A floating trophy was also awarded to AIMS School of Sports as the overall winning centre for winning the three main sporting codes. AIMS teams won all three main sport codes, taking the football, netball and volleyball titles home. 

The inclusion of Special Olympics Namibia and independent participants further broadened the event’s focus on creating opportunities for students from different backgrounds to meet and participate together.

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