Windhoek: The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Shanghai Committee handed over about 1,000 pairs of running shoes to the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) on Tuesday. The handover ceremony, held in Windhoek, was attended by athletes and representatives from various sports federations.According to Namibia Press Agency, the vice chairperson of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, Xiao Guiyu, led the handover of the donation. "May this gift, imbued with the friendship of the people of Shanghai, help young people of Namibia achieve outstanding results on the sporting field and reach new heights on life's journey," he stated during the event.NNOC president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa, in a speech delivered on his behalf, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the challenges faced by talented athletes in Namibia. He emphasized that the shoes represent more than just sporting equipment; they symbolize opportunity, encouragement, and a testament to the friendship between Namibia and China. Hamutumwa assured that the NNOC, with the help of sports federations, is committed to distributing the shoes fairly and responsibly to the athletes who need them most.China's Ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, also addressed the gathering, remarking on the significance of the gesture as a sign of the enduring friendship between the two nations. He noted that the donation comes at a particularly opportune time.Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Ipumbu, from the University of Namibia's Athletics Club, expressed her appreciation for the donation, highlighting its potential impact on disadvantaged Namibians, including those with untapped potential. Track and field athlete Matt-Reece Izaaks and table tennis player Lian Gebauer echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of the support for less fortunate athletes.