Corporates urged to help unlock new 800m beast
David Dam in need of assistance
Erongo regional sports officer Berthold Karumendu is pleading with the business community to assist long-distance runner David Dam in his quest to compete at events outside Namibia.
Namibia is on the verge of producing a global sensation by the name of David Dam, regional sport officer Berthold Karumendu says.
Dam, who was born in Grootfontein, has been dominating the 800- and 1500 -metre races in the country.
The athlete, who is from the disadvantaged San community, is said to be a natural talent with speed and endurance.
As things stand, Dam has no competition in the country after having won five Athletics Namibia Grand Prix already this year.
“This guy is pure talent and we want him to compete at international events this year in order for him to qualify to the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
"We are looking forward to competing in South Africa for the upcoming Athletics Grand Prix Continental Tour.
“This will however not be possible if we do not get the financial support for him,” Karumendu said.
Born on 20 April 1998, Dam moved to join his father Andrea Kambikiti at Omatjete’s Okapere in the Daures Constituency following the passing of his mother, Saarah Dam, in 2005.
He was spotted by Karumendu at a school athletics competition between 2015 and 2016 when he competed in the under-17 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m.
In 2017, he moved to Omaruru where he attended SI Gobs Secondary School.
Dam had his first taste of glory when he scooped bronze and silver medals at the 2019 and 2020 senior national championships.
This year, the athlete has run a personal best of 1:52.2 in the 800 m and 3:56.3 in the 1500 m.
“He has been training with me for the past five years and I am sure he has the potential of becoming a sensation for this country.
“The athlete is very disciplined and committed to making it out there and that is why support from the business community will unlock his full potential,” Karumendu said.
The team initially would have left for South Africa for the Grand Prix slated for 16 and 23 March, but will stay to honour the national championships.
“This means that we will only go to the third Grand Prix, which begins on 6 April in Potchefstroom, South Arica. We want to go stay there for three weeks for another Grand Prix scheduled for 13 April, which requires so much money at the moment,” Karumendu added.
Dam will then stay for a few days in Windhoek before moving to Gaborone for another international event on 30 April.
The team will then have to leave for South Africa again to compete at the Cape Town Grand Prix on 21 May.
Karumendu is confident that competing in the events will give them a direction on the potential qualification to the Commonwealth Games given that Dam’s name is currently appearing on the event's long list.
“I know that the cost involved here will be huge but this is the only chance we have to unleash this athlete to his full potential. All I know is that Dam is destined for greatness and any corporate that assists in taking this guy places will not regret it.
“For any of those that would like to assist the athlete, please contact me Berthold Karumendu, on 081 311 8489.”
The Erongo Region sports officer expects other athletes to join them on some of the trips.
“There are other athletes who might want to join us on these trips and they will be welcomed, provided that there is enough funds,” he reiterated.
Dam, who was born in Grootfontein, has been dominating the 800- and 1500 -metre races in the country.
The athlete, who is from the disadvantaged San community, is said to be a natural talent with speed and endurance.
As things stand, Dam has no competition in the country after having won five Athletics Namibia Grand Prix already this year.
“This guy is pure talent and we want him to compete at international events this year in order for him to qualify to the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
"We are looking forward to competing in South Africa for the upcoming Athletics Grand Prix Continental Tour.
“This will however not be possible if we do not get the financial support for him,” Karumendu said.
Born on 20 April 1998, Dam moved to join his father Andrea Kambikiti at Omatjete’s Okapere in the Daures Constituency following the passing of his mother, Saarah Dam, in 2005.
He was spotted by Karumendu at a school athletics competition between 2015 and 2016 when he competed in the under-17 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m.
In 2017, he moved to Omaruru where he attended SI Gobs Secondary School.
Dam had his first taste of glory when he scooped bronze and silver medals at the 2019 and 2020 senior national championships.
This year, the athlete has run a personal best of 1:52.2 in the 800 m and 3:56.3 in the 1500 m.
“He has been training with me for the past five years and I am sure he has the potential of becoming a sensation for this country.
“The athlete is very disciplined and committed to making it out there and that is why support from the business community will unlock his full potential,” Karumendu said.
The team initially would have left for South Africa for the Grand Prix slated for 16 and 23 March, but will stay to honour the national championships.
“This means that we will only go to the third Grand Prix, which begins on 6 April in Potchefstroom, South Arica. We want to go stay there for three weeks for another Grand Prix scheduled for 13 April, which requires so much money at the moment,” Karumendu added.
Dam will then stay for a few days in Windhoek before moving to Gaborone for another international event on 30 April.
The team will then have to leave for South Africa again to compete at the Cape Town Grand Prix on 21 May.
Karumendu is confident that competing in the events will give them a direction on the potential qualification to the Commonwealth Games given that Dam’s name is currently appearing on the event's long list.
“I know that the cost involved here will be huge but this is the only chance we have to unleash this athlete to his full potential. All I know is that Dam is destined for greatness and any corporate that assists in taking this guy places will not regret it.
“For any of those that would like to assist the athlete, please contact me Berthold Karumendu, on 081 311 8489.”
The Erongo Region sports officer expects other athletes to join them on some of the trips.
“There are other athletes who might want to join us on these trips and they will be welcomed, provided that there is enough funds,” he reiterated.
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