The Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, says Namibia will engage their South African counterparts when they engage World Athletics regarding the banning of Beatrice Masilingi and Christine Mboma in certain competitions.
Masilingi and Mboma were withdrawn from competing in their favoured 400-metre race at the just ended Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by World Athletics because they did not meet the World Athletics eligibility regulations for female classification that apply to running events from 400m because their testosterone levels are too high.
Speaking at a press conference to welcome the athletes back from the Olympic Games in the capital, the minister said while as government they cannot deal with World Athletics, they will use their political power to engage relevant authorities to discuss the issue.
“We already had a meeting with the South African Sports Ministry because they have already gone through that route. We did not want to start afresh on something which our neighbours are already busy with. We are now awaiting the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNCO) to come back so as to chart the way forward,” the minister said, adding that the government has already made a statement to the United Nations through Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in which they protested World Athletics’ ban.
Tjongarero added that various Namibian governmental and non-governmental arms will play a role in putting pressure on World Athletics to change their decision on banning the girls from participating in the 400-meter races.
“As a government, we cannot engage directly with World Athletics or the Olympic Movement. NNOC must write to the government and request legal help, while we (govt) will need the medical proof that led to that decision,” Tjongarero said.
Meanwhile, the athletes’ coach Henk Botha said the two girls and the rest of the Namibian Olympic team decided to avoid being sidetracked by World Athletics’ decision, but rather to focus on doing their best at the games.
He added that the athletes will no longer be talking to the media regarding that issue.
A 2019 rule passed by the governing body, World Athletics, caps athletes’ testosterone levels in the women’s events ranging from 400m to a mile.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
