The annual Tour de Windhoek was launched in Windhoek today ahead of the cycling event scheduled to take place from 13 to 16 August, bringing together riders from across the country to compete in multiple stages.
The Tour de Windhoek provides a platform for athletes to showcase their talent while promoting participation in sport and healthy living. Gerard Vries, Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, said the tour is more than a sporting competition and serves as a celebration of excellence, discipline, youth development, and national unity.“It demonstrates the important role that sport plays in bringing communities together while creating opportunities for our young people to realise their full potential. As the Government is engaged in the implementation of Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan (NDP 6), we recognise sport as a critical contributor to social and economic development. NDP 6 places strong emphasis on youth empowerment, human capital development, health and wellness, and social inclusion. The Ministry remains committed to creating an enabling environment for sport to flourish through strategic partnerships to strengthen athlete development pathways,” Vries said.
Anri Parker, CEO of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, said cycling occupies an important place within the strategic vision of the NNOC. Parker noted that cycling is a sport where Namibia has consistently shown international competitiveness and is key to the country's high-performance pathway.“It is a sport in which Namibia has consistently demonstrated excellence, resilience, and international competitiveness. It is also one of the key sports identified within our high-performance pathway towards major international events, including the Commonwealth Games, African Games, and ultimately the Olympic Games. As we work towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the NNOC has established ambitious but achievable targets for Namibian sport. Achieving those targets requires strong partnerships, long-term planning, and strategic investment,” Parker said.
Acting Chief Administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, Christophina Hangalo, highlighted the Commission's commitment to the growth and development of sport in the country.
Meanwhile, title sponsor Pupkewitz Megabuild Managing Director Martin Schoeman highlighted the company's commitment to social responsibility and its continued support of the Tour de Windhoek to help grow the sport locally.
Riders will compete across multiple stages before the tour concludes with the Sunday Classic, which caters to cyclists who want to experience the Tour de Windhoek without participating in the full multi-stage competition.