Promising middle-distance runner David Dam’s dream of competing at the upcoming Commonwealth Games received a massive boost yesterday, when local diamond marketing company, Namdia sponsored him with N$50 000.
Dam, who is striving to qualify for both this year’s Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships, left for South Africa yesterday to compete in the third and fourth instalments of the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix Continental Tour as well as the Gauteng Masters.
The third instalment of the ASA Grand Prix Continental Tour is slated for tomorrow, while the fourth ASA Grand Prix Continental Tour takes place on Saturday at the Germiston Stadium in Johannesburg.
The 23-year-old Dam, who hails from the San community in the Erongo region, made headlines over the weekend when he scooped gold in the 1 500m and a silver in the 800m events during the Athletics Namibia (AN) Senior National Championships held at the Windhoek Independence stadium.
Speaking on the sidelines of yesterday’s sponsorship handover by Namdia, Dam told New Era Sport the N$50 000 sponsorship will go a long way in helping him realise his dream of qualifying for this year’s Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.
“All I need right now is to work hard and beat the Commonwealth qualifying time, which is one of the main things I am chasing at the moment. Qualifying for the World Champs also remains a top priority. I believe I do have the potential and I have shown this during my performances on the track,” he said.
“Competing in South Africa at all those events will be a bit challenging for me, as I have never competed across the borders of Namibia. But I believe this is a challenge that I need because as an athlete, you need new challenges to measure yourself. I deeply want to thank Namdia for empowering my dreams. Thank you.”
Dam’s personal best (PB) over 1500m is 3:56.61, while the Commonwealth qualifying time is 3:37.86.
In the 800m, Dam’s PB is 1:53.13, while the Commonwealth qualifying time is 1:46.07.
Meanwhile, his coach Berthold Karumendu said he was grateful for Namdia, who took a bold step to invest and help a young talent, saying the sponsorship will assist Dam greatly.
“With this money, he will be able to compete without any hiccups, and this will make him reach his dreams of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, which he has been wanting to,” he said.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place in Birmingham, UK, between 28 July and 8 August, while the World Athletics Championships are set for Eugene, Oregon, US, between 15 July and 24 July 2022.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na