No medal predictions yet - Botha
After the Tokyo Olympics, the focus now shifts to the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Kenya this week, with local coach Henk Botha saying that the team is focused.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
After two weeks of glamour at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Team Namibia, led by track and field coach Henk Botha, has shifted its focus to Kenya, venue of the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships this week.
Botha is in charge of six junior athletes: Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma, Beatrice Masilingi, Ndawana Haitembu, Carien Oosthuizen, Nandi Vass and Elvis Gaseb.
Mboma will compete in the 200 m and 4x100 m relay, Masilingi will take on the 100 m and 200 m, Haitembu, Oosthuizen and Vass will form part of the 4x100 m relay team, whereas Gaseb will compete in the 100 m race.
Eyes on the prize
Speaking to Namibian Sun from Nairobi yesterday, Botha said the team had a successful training session on Sunday.
“The athletes are positive. They look committed. We are excited; I won’t talk about predictions for medals at the moment but the philosophy is to take on the first round and to see how it goes in the second and third rounds.
“After the semi-final, we can talk about medals, but at the moment the athletes are focused and ready to make Namibia proud,” said Botha.
The president of Athletics Namibia, Erwin Naimhwaka, added that the athletes’ performance at the championship will allow them to assess how they will progress to the 2024 Olympics which will be held in Paris, France.
“We are excited that we will be taking part in the relays for the first time at this level. Our girls’ 4x100 m relay team continues to be developed to ensure that it is ready to qualify for the 2024 Olympics,” Naimhwaka said.
The U-20 championship was deferred by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 1 300 athletes from 128 countries are scheduled to compete in the competition, which will run from tomorrow until Sunday.
The other team officials are Meriam Minin (team leader) and Nomin Lucas (Covid-19 liaison officer).
WINDHOEK
After two weeks of glamour at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Team Namibia, led by track and field coach Henk Botha, has shifted its focus to Kenya, venue of the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships this week.
Botha is in charge of six junior athletes: Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma, Beatrice Masilingi, Ndawana Haitembu, Carien Oosthuizen, Nandi Vass and Elvis Gaseb.
Mboma will compete in the 200 m and 4x100 m relay, Masilingi will take on the 100 m and 200 m, Haitembu, Oosthuizen and Vass will form part of the 4x100 m relay team, whereas Gaseb will compete in the 100 m race.
Eyes on the prize
Speaking to Namibian Sun from Nairobi yesterday, Botha said the team had a successful training session on Sunday.
“The athletes are positive. They look committed. We are excited; I won’t talk about predictions for medals at the moment but the philosophy is to take on the first round and to see how it goes in the second and third rounds.
“After the semi-final, we can talk about medals, but at the moment the athletes are focused and ready to make Namibia proud,” said Botha.
The president of Athletics Namibia, Erwin Naimhwaka, added that the athletes’ performance at the championship will allow them to assess how they will progress to the 2024 Olympics which will be held in Paris, France.
“We are excited that we will be taking part in the relays for the first time at this level. Our girls’ 4x100 m relay team continues to be developed to ensure that it is ready to qualify for the 2024 Olympics,” Naimhwaka said.
The U-20 championship was deferred by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 1 300 athletes from 128 countries are scheduled to compete in the competition, which will run from tomorrow until Sunday.
The other team officials are Meriam Minin (team leader) and Nomin Lucas (Covid-19 liaison officer).
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