Norman Lucas, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region Five Games, said the inclusion of Special Olympics for the first time in the games made this year’s event unique.

Lucas, in an interview at Swakopmund, told Nampa that having the athletes compete in their different events made the championships special for everyone in attendance.

“We could see that they belong in this competition and should be included in activities around the globe. And these are the special things that make Namibia and us proud members of those disciplines. And maybe from the local organising point of view,” he said.

Lucas added that another highlight at the field and track events was a South African high jumper who set his personal best at 2.16 metres but improved it to 2.20 metres.

“You should see the excitement on that gentleman’s face when he crossed the bar at 2.20 meters. Hosting these games gives young athletes from the region an opportunity to compete against each other, and seeing them break records is truly commendable,” said Lucas.

The games, he added, have established a platform for junior athletes who have been selected to represent the country at various championships in 2025 and 2026 around the world.

Namibia already has a group of athletes that will be participating in the Confederation of African Athletics Championships for under-18 and under-20 athletes, to be held in Nigeria’s city of Abeokuta from 14 to 18 July, he said, adding that the Namibia School Sport Union (NSSU) will, for the first time, participate in the inaugural African School Games scheduled to take place in Algeria in August 2025.

Lucas stated that this year’s athletics schedule is fully packed, with junior athletes also competing at the 2025 Youth Games in Angola from 10 to 20 December. 

-Nampa