Lubinda wins Ondundu Speed Hiking
By Michael Uugwanga
The Namibia Speed Hiking Federation (NSHF) has announced that Kevin Lubinda is the 2022 speed hiking champion.
Lubinda also set the speed hiking overall competition record after completing the Ondundu Kaiser Wilhelm Speed Hiking Trail recently, in a time of 2h 01minutes.
He won an accommodation voucher for two (2) people for two (2) nights worth N$8,520.00 courtesy of Gondwana Collection.
The Chairperson of the women’s NSHF, Rebecca Hambili, thanked Gondwana Collection for its generous sponsorship of this year’s event. She also urged more people in particular women, to join the sport.
“We want to thank Gondwana Collection for its support and I am strongly encouraging the nation at large to take up speed hiking as it helps boost physical and mental health. Those interested can contact the Federation on 0813926373 or 0814519380,” Hambili said.
Meanwhile, the Founder of the Ondundu Youth Development Organsation and President of NSHF, Eino Mbango, has said speed hiking has the potential to become a top sport code if it also receives the same coverage and mileage as other sports. He called on people from other codes to join speed hiking.
“It will be good for the corporate world to registered their wellness club members with the Federation as well as the youth, sports men and women to gain the spirit of fitness and to consider joining the momentum of empowering this newly established sport code ,Speed Hiking,” Mbango said.
He revealed that there are plans to spread Speed Hiking to all the 14 regions of the country adding that the Namibia Sports Commission’s recognition of the sport will enable it to grow faster.
“Thanks to the Namibia Sports Commission for recognising the Sports code, Speed Hiking, under its umbrella body, the Namibia Hiking Federation and for providing support through workshops and ongoing mentorship of federations across the country,” Mbango said.
“Sports clubs belonging to corporate institutions, schools and government institutions are invited to nominate representatives in each region to contact the NSHF to join the planning committee, since we are planning to host a tournament next year and in 2024.”
This year’s champion, Lubinda, now holds two records in two sports codes, Boxing and Speed Hiking.