President Hage Geingob hosted a dinner at State House on Tuesday for the Namibian team that arrived from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The dinner was attended by Vice President Nangolo Mbumba and several government ministers, deputies and high ranking government officials, the athletes and the families of Olympic 200 metre silver medallist Christine Mboma and fellow 200m finalist Beatrice Masilingi.

Speaking at the dinner, Geingob paid tribute to the team, saying the athletes represented Namibia well.

“We are very proud of what you achieved at the games, from participating to marching with the flag and competing with other countries. All of you were our ambassadors, just like I mentioned when we sent you off to the games,” Geingob said.

The president had a special mention for Mboma who won the medal, saying she had overcome tough challenges to finish in the top two in her event.

“It was a difficult situation as it was not easy because she had to run a distance which was not her favourable race. Had the race continued, you would have come first,” Geingob said.

The president further praised Henk Botha who coaches Mboma for the fatherly role he plays in grooming her and Masilingi.

The team which arrived in Windhoek on the same day was received by hundreds of Namibians at the Hosea Kutako International Airport where 200-metre silver medallist Mboma was the main attraction.

The team was taken on a parade from the airport to the city centre through Independence Avenue all the way to the United Nations Plaza and Soweto Market, where hundreds of people lined the streets to honour the Olympians.

Source: Namibia Press Agency