The track and field team that will participate at the upcoming 22nd African Championships scheduled for 08 to 12 June in Mauritius is ready to bring back medals.
This is the expectation of athletics coach, Henk Botha, whilst speaking at the sponsorship handover ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday by Namdia to Athletics Namibia.
Botha said he was excited by the prospects of the team as there is so much talent in the 15-member team, which has several national record holders.
“We just heard that in the past two years, so many national records were broken by these girls and boys here. We have so much talent in Namibia and everybody wants to be part of this beautiful sport of ours,” he said.
Botha added that talent alone does not guarantee success as government, the public and private sectors must join hands to compete against the best.
Athletics Namibia (AN) received N.dollars 400 000 from Namdia to help them participate in the competition in Mauritius.
AN president, Erwin Naimhwaka was grateful for receiving the sponsorship saying ever since Namdia started sponsoring his organisation, a total of 30 national records were broken by athletes.
“This is a good indicator that shows the progress we are making, while proving that our strategy and development programme is working. We are happy with our partnership with Namdia. Without putting any pressure on the athletes, I hope we break more records in Mauritius,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero said the absence of star athletes Beatrice Masilingi and Christine Mboma should not be seen as a loss to the Namibian team, urging the selected athletes to be brave and go all out to cement their status as top athletes in the country.
A total of 47 African countries have so far confirmed their participation and 500 athletes are expected to partake.
Meanwhile, Naimhwaka took the opportunity to announce the 15-member team that will represent Namibia in Mauritius.
The team:
Modestus Mwila – Head of delegation
Henk Botha and Letu Hamhola – Coaches
Julia Haluwendo – Team medic
Gilbert Hainuca – 100m, 200m, relays
David Dam – 800m, relays
Ivan Danny Geldenhuys – 400m, 200m, relays
Warren Shyer Goraseb – Relays
Gideon Ernst Narib – 100m, 200m, relays
Andre Johannes Retief – 400m, 400m hurdles, relays
Roger Haitengi – Triple jump
Ryan Williams – Discus
Mahmad Alexander Bock – 400m, relays
Ndawana Haitembu – Relays
Tuane Silver – Shotput
Mudi-Inosensia Haingura – 400m, relays
Ane Rautenbach – 200m, 400m, relays
Nandi Vass – 400m, relays
Sade Amor de Sousa – 100m, relays
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
