Bank Windhoek supports Namibia Hikers Association

Gabby Tjiroze
Bank Windhoek sponsored the Namibia Hikers Association (NHA), a wellness initiative by the Ondundu Youth Development Organization (Inc.). The Bank is the first financial institution to assist the association.

The NHA will use the sponsorship to facilitate monthly competitions focused on speed hiking, walking and running - with individuals, families, groups and clubs as participants.

Established in 2010, the association was started for those with a keen interest in physical and mental fitness awareness and has since its inception concluded a total of 69 hiking sessions comprising 400 registered members. The NHA specialises in sports and fitness, corporate team-building and youth development programmes and participants, regardless of their affiliation, are welcome to register to participate in its activities.

The association conducts its activities along the Kaiser Wilhelm Mountain's hiking trail in Windhoek starting at the base of the mountain, hiking to its peak and returning to the starting point – a total distance of eight kilometres.

During the hikes, participants are involved in themed discussions facilitated by mentors.

Registration is N$75.00 per athlete per event and participants can register in the following categories:

• School hiking clubs

• Family groups

• Solo hikers, two or three male or female teams or mixed

• Corporate team-building groups,

• Health and fitness enthusiasts

• Gymnasts hiking clubs

Having already established a following with members of the public, the NHA now aims to create School Hiking Clubs around the country. “One of NHA's focuses is to help enhance the school learners' capacity to concentrate using hiking and mentorship programmes. We want to be able to have about 300 participants from 20 different school hiking clubs by the end of 2019,” said NHA's, Executive Director, Eino Mbango.

Mbango added that NHA approached Bank Windhoek for sponsorship of these events because of the Bank's visible commitment to community development via its Social Investment Fund initiatives.

Bank Windhoek's sponsorship and events coordinator, Suzette January, said: “Research worldwide shows that hiking contributes to people's wellbeing. It lowers the risks of heart diseases, helps improve blood pressure and contributes to overall fitness.”

To encourage participation in the activities offered by the NHA, Gondwana Collection Namibia has also recently supported its efforts with the sponsorship of five accommodation vouchers to be awarded to winners in the different categories. Each prize is a two night stay for two at any Gondwana Lodge around the country and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The next event, themed entrepreneurship, will take place on Saturday, 1 September 2018.

For more information, please contact Eino Mbango; namibianhikers@gmail.com.