Big prizes up for grabs at Grand Prix
Athletes will have a chance to once again grace the track with their presence at three top events hosted by Athletics Namibia.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
The overall winners in the male and female category at the Athletics Namibia (AN) Grand Prix will walk away with close to N$15 000.
The series, which kicked off at the beginning of the year, resumes this weekend after it was put on halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The fourth leg of the series will take place in Windhoek on Saturday at the Independence Stadium, while the fifth leg is slated for 7 November in Oshakati.
AN president Erwin Naimwaka said they have decided to change the way they award athletes this time around.
“We have decided to revisit the way which we normally award athletes in order to motivate athletes to perform better.
“This means that the athletes with the best overall points will take home N$15 000 each in the male and female category.
In the past, the overall top 10 athletes shared the prize money equally, but that will not be the case this year, Naimwaka said.
Top 10 still to be rewarded
The association has reserved N$100 000 for the event, which will enable AN to reward each man and woman who finishes in the top 10 of the competition.
Athletes collect points through various disciplines and an overall score will be given at the end of the athletics season, which will be in mid- November.
The Grand Prix involves long jump, shot put, triple jump, javelin, relay and sprint categories.
Competition director Berthold Karumendu added that the fourth leg will not include the 200m and 800m, as they want to shorten the competition.
“Those who want to compete in 200m and 800m events will have to travel to Oshakati on 7 November for the fifth leg of the Grand Prix.
“These events also only cater for those who are 16 years old and above,” Karumendu said.
Not qualifiers
The remaining Grand Prix events and the National Championship, scheduled for 13 and 14 November in Windhoek, will not serve as qualifiers for international competitions.
“The qualifying events will only start after November.
“We, however, encourage athletes to push hard because these events can help them to prepare for bigger qualifying events,” Naimwaka added.
He encouraged all athletes belonging to clubs and those attached to regions to enter.
Meanwhile, he assured that all health protocols, as far as fighting the spread of the coronavirus, are in place.
WINDHOEK
The overall winners in the male and female category at the Athletics Namibia (AN) Grand Prix will walk away with close to N$15 000.
The series, which kicked off at the beginning of the year, resumes this weekend after it was put on halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The fourth leg of the series will take place in Windhoek on Saturday at the Independence Stadium, while the fifth leg is slated for 7 November in Oshakati.
AN president Erwin Naimwaka said they have decided to change the way they award athletes this time around.
“We have decided to revisit the way which we normally award athletes in order to motivate athletes to perform better.
“This means that the athletes with the best overall points will take home N$15 000 each in the male and female category.
In the past, the overall top 10 athletes shared the prize money equally, but that will not be the case this year, Naimwaka said.
Top 10 still to be rewarded
The association has reserved N$100 000 for the event, which will enable AN to reward each man and woman who finishes in the top 10 of the competition.
Athletes collect points through various disciplines and an overall score will be given at the end of the athletics season, which will be in mid- November.
The Grand Prix involves long jump, shot put, triple jump, javelin, relay and sprint categories.
Competition director Berthold Karumendu added that the fourth leg will not include the 200m and 800m, as they want to shorten the competition.
“Those who want to compete in 200m and 800m events will have to travel to Oshakati on 7 November for the fifth leg of the Grand Prix.
“These events also only cater for those who are 16 years old and above,” Karumendu said.
Not qualifiers
The remaining Grand Prix events and the National Championship, scheduled for 13 and 14 November in Windhoek, will not serve as qualifiers for international competitions.
“The qualifying events will only start after November.
“We, however, encourage athletes to push hard because these events can help them to prepare for bigger qualifying events,” Naimwaka added.
He encouraged all athletes belonging to clubs and those attached to regions to enter.
Meanwhile, he assured that all health protocols, as far as fighting the spread of the coronavirus, are in place.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article