By Staff Reporter
The town of Karibib in the Erongo Region made history over the past weekend when it hosted its first-ever horse racing event, the Karibib Horse Racing Bonanza, last month at the Karibib Horse Racing Track.
The event, which was the first of its kind in the town, forms part of the Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA)’s strategy to expand the sport to all corners of the country.
Horse racing events in Namibia have traditionally been hosted in towns such as Okahandja, Gobabis and Okondjatu in the Otjozondjupa Region, as well as Rehoboth.
Organisers are now looking to introduce the sport to new areas.
Event organiser Timo Mujeu of Professor Supporters Club said the inaugural event was a great success, despite the organisers having only one month to establish the horse racing track and prepare for the event.
“I am speaking on behalf of Professor Supporters Club and Eastern Sport Promotion CC. I would say that despite putting up the horse racing track, promoting and hosting the event, I can say that it was a great success.
“So, any horse racing club that wants to set up a future event can contact the Karibib Sport Club, so that the facility does not turn into a white elephant.
“I can also say that the jockeys were disciplined and there were no incidents,” Mujeu said.
Horse racing is one of the few sporting codes in the country known for attracting large crowds to its events.
“When it comes to pulling people to events, I can say that football is number one, followed by horse racing, or the other way around. The passion from horse owners is always there,” said Mujeu.
