FNB Namibia launched the Classic Clashes for the third consecutive year in Windhoek on Monday, May 31.
The games, which have become a sought after event, will be held in all over Namibia. According to a press release issued by FNB Namibia, the philosophy behind the FNB Classic Clashes is to pair two rival schools in either a rugby, soccer or netball game against each other and to create a community-engaging sports day for all, thereby contributing towards sport development in Namibia.
At the launch, Dixon Norval Head Strategic Marketing & Communications said that FNB Namibia considers it a priority to ensure that sports and youth issues form an integral part of Namibia’s developmental agenda by supporting the interests of the youth and transforming them into future leaders.
He added: “Sport should be seen as providing a learning experience for everyone and this is a good example of the educational value sport can have. Through sport students become aware of their own limitations, acquire new skills, learn to measure themselves against others, operate as a team, to win and lose, and to respect one another. Sport and physical exercise also contribute to the mental and physical wellbeing of all people. Furthermore - sport has an important role in shaping national identity and unity.”
Solly Duiker, a member of the Namibia School Sports Union congratulated and thanked FNB Namibia on this initiative and the fact that the bank is prepared to invest money on developing youth at a school-going age.
He said: “As sport increasingly becomes part of humanitarian and development work, as well as a part of the corporate social responsibility practices of some private sector institutions, such as FNB Namibia, interested parties are anxious to explore the potential of sport. We thank FNB Namibia for being one of those companies that values the positive effect of sport and has done a lot in this regard in our country through projects such as Classic Clashes which aims at these positive effects.”
A total of 14 games will be played in 2010, the first being on 5 June 2010 in Mariental, when Mariental takes on P.K. De Villiers School, in a rugby match.