Henk Botha, coach of Namibian female sprinters Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, said the 2022 World Athletics season will be tough but they are ready to take on the world.

The coach and four Namibian sprinters in the 4×100 metres relay team are currently in the United States of America preparing for the Commonwealth Games, while two of Namibia’s sensational sprinters will also be competing at the 2022 Oregon World Athletics Championships and the World Athletics season.

In an interview with Nampa on Saturday, Botha said the European athletics season is about to start and the girls are at the moment 75 per cent ready for the season.

“We are hoping for Mboma and Masilingi to peak during the world championships because right after that we have the Commonwealth Games, but this year’s athletics season is going to be tough as the world now knows about Mboma and Masilingi,” he said.

Botha added that despite the world knowing about the two Namibia athletes, whom they will study, analyse and attack on the track, they are ready for the world as Namibians are brave and strong people.

The coach also expressed his excitement with Mboma’s performance in the 100m and 200m on Friday, saying she is at the moment injury-free but Masilingi had a small knock, which they will assess.

“After competing in the relay, we did not want to risk Masilingi in the 100m and 200m, hence the reason she did not compete. I am not worried about the injury as it’s not a big thing but we will assess it and see what precautions to take going forward,” said Botha, adding that they are struggling with finding the right facilities at times while abroad.

“It could have gone better but we are struggling with the right facilities but we are doing the best with what we can,” said Botha, who added that the relay women’s team is coached by Letu Hamhlo, who just got permission from Athletics Namibia to take them with.

He also stated that the relay team did extremely well in their competition, even though there is still a lot of work to be done.

“I think we now have a competitive team to take to the African championships but as far as the Commonwealth Games is concerned, we will have a lot of work to do, but this is the start as nothing happens overnight,” Botha said.

The 4x100m female relay athletes are; Mboma, Masilingi, Ndawana Haitembu, Carien Oosthuizen and Nandi Vass.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency