The first horse racing event of the year is set to take place on March 29 at the Epukiro Horse Racing Turf in the Omaheke Region, according to Mannes Hendrick, president of the Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA).

Horse racing has consistently been one of the most well-attended sports in the country over the years, and the sport continues to grow thanks to the hard work and determination of its leadership, as well as financial injections from the corporate world that have changed the face of the sport.

Despite the hard work from the current leaders, the NHRA is set to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 22, with new leaders expected to be appointed to various positions ahead of the new horse racing event.

Currently, the NHRA has only two sponsors, MTC and Standard Bank, following the end of its relationship with First National Bank (FNB), which used to sponsor the July Handicap in Okahatjipara, in the Okondjatu area of the Otjozondjupa Region, home of the Professor Supporter’s Club, which has hosted the FNB July Handicap for many years.

Another corporate entity that has ended its ties with the NHRA is Debmarine Namibia, which, over the past few years, has significantly impacted horse racing and the jockeys, along with the media mileage Debmarine received through the sponsorship.

Hendricks, who has been acting in the capacity of president for some time, said that the new horse racing calendar is set to be released on Tuesday, 24 February.

“We have the first event on March 29, which is the Standard Bank Independence Cup, but we are not yet sure of the location, although I am assuming it is still at Epukiro. MTC has not ended its sponsorship with the NHRA. PST Bet joined horse racing last year at the club level, not with the NHRA. Horse racing is currently on a paddock break,” said Hendricks.