Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero has encouraged Namibia’s 1 500 metre (m) national champion to stay humble after dominating this year’s Athletics Namibia Grand Prix and the Senior National Championships.
David Dam who hails from one of Namibia’s disadvantaged communities won gold in 1 500m and a silver medal in 800m at the Athletics Namibia Senior Championships held at Independence Stadium over the weekend.
The athlete and his coach, Berthold Karumendu depart for Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday to compete in the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix 3 Continental Tour on 06 April as well as the ASA Grand Prix 4 Continental Tour on 09 April at the Germiston Stadium in Johannesburg.
Speaking on Monday during Dam’s sending-off ceremony by Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia), Tjongarero said this is the beginning of Dam’s athletics journey and therefore he should “not get a big head”.
“It’s not easy to get a sponsor in these difficult times of COVID-19. So I call on you to be humble and not think you are the best or you have made it as there are tougher competitions out there. I want you to give it your all whenever you are on the track so that one day you’ll be able to compete with the best in the world and win against them,” she said.
Namdia Acting Chief Executive Officer Lelly Usiku said they believe in investing in “unpolished diamonds” and therefore supporting Dam was something they did not hesitate to do.
“We don’t expect a lot from you as an athlete apart from running your best times and making Namibia proud,” Usiku said.
Meanwhile, Dam who has a personal record of three minutes, 56 seconds and 61 tenths of a second (3:56:61) in the 1 500m said this will be his first trip out of the country as well as representing Namibia internationally and therefore his goal is to improve on his time while at the same time being a good ambassador for the country.
Namdia has sponsored the trip to the tune of N.dollars 50 000 which covers flight tickets, accommodation, meals and transport while in the neighbouring country.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
